SAUDI ARABIA -- Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) announced that its affiliate, the International Polymers Company, has awarded the Engineering Design, Procurement and Construction (LSTK) contract for the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Plant (EVA) to G.S. Engineering & Construction Corporation- Korea. The new plant will produce EVA and Low-Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) with an annual production capacity of 200 thousand metric tons in its industrial complex in Jubail Industrial City.

Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Polymers Company declared that the award of the design, procurement of equipment and construction contract is considered an important step in Sipchems well studied expansion and development program. Al-Ohali confirmed that this step affirms the capabilities of the companys management and its continued endeavors to acquire the best possible technical and financial offers for this project. The plant is expected to start its operation in the second quarter of the year 2013. He also added that such a product will set the ground for many investment opportunities for the downstream industries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The estimated cost of the project shall be around 3 billion Saudi Riyals and is expected to create 200 direct job opportunities. The projects Polymers products are considered important components for many downstream and end sophisticated products. Sipchem has previously announced the conclusion of the technology licensing contract for this plant with Exxon Mobil, USA in May, 2009. Sipchem and Hanwha shall jointly market the plants products worldwide.