Duqm, SEBACIC Oman Refinery for the
production of Sebacic acid has entered the production stage after the
successful completion of the preliminary tests during the last three
months. The refinery is the first industrial project in the heavy
industries zone to operate in the Special Economic Zone in Duqm
(SEZD).
Dr. Ismail bin Ahmed Al-Balushi, Deputy CEO of the Special
Economic Zone Authority in Duqm (SEZAD), asserted that the
operation of SEBACIC Refinery would prepare Duqm to enter the era of
heavy industries. He pointed out that SEZAD encourages Omani and
foreign investors to invest in the heavy industries sector as one of the
important economic mainstays.
“We are delighted that this project has started production and we
look forward to seeing more projects in the heavy industry zone in the
coming years, which will witness the launch of construction works of
the Duqm Refinery as well. SEZD is well poised to support the success
of investment in this sector,” Al-Balushi said in a press statement
following his field visit to the refinery.
The refinery is the first of its kind in the Middle East for the
production of Sebacic acid extracted from castor oil and used in many
chemical, plastics and pharmaceutical industries, as well as a
feedstock in the manufacture of disinfectants, paints and perfumes.
This product of high economic value encourages the establishment of
other industries.
SEBACIC Oman Refinery is a joint venture between investors from
the Sultanate and India. The cost of the first phase of the project is RO
24 million and SEBACIC Oman will implement the remaining phases of
the project in the coming years.
For his part, Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al-Ma’wali, the Project Partner,
expressed his happiness for the commencement of actual production
of SEBACIC Oman Refinery and indicated that that it represents an
outstanding addition to the renewable chemical industries in SEZD.
“This will pave the way in the future for advanced technological
industries that enter into many industrial fields,” said Al-Ma’wali.
“We are proud to have been able to complete the project and reach
the production stage in record time,” he said. “The company’s service
system in Duqm makes it easy to move to the second phase of the
project. The production of the company will be 12 thousand tons per
annum but will double after the completion of the second phase.”
“The target markets for the company’s products include the United
States, European countries, Japan and Korea as one of the most
countries that use these products that enter into many industries.
Although Sebacic acid is the most prominent product of the company,
the refinery has other products, such as glycerin used in food and
medical industries, octanol and DOP used in the plastics industry,”
added Al-Ma’wali.
Source: Oman News Agency