Saudi Sipchem completes acetyls complex project

KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia Dec 19 (Reuters) - Saudi International Petrochemicals Co 2310.SE (Sipchem) said on Saturday it had started trial operations at its vinyl acetate monomer plant in Jubail.

The plant is the last step before commissioning the acteyls complex, the company said in a statement on the Saudi bourse website.

The acetyls complex is Sicphem's second phase of development plans. The complex will produce 450,000 tonnes of acetic acid, 330,000 tonnes of vinyl acetate monomer and 345,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide annually.

Sipchem started testing production at its acetic acid plant last month. Almost half of the acetic acid is used as a feedstock for the vinyl acetate monomer plant.

The firm also started in August pre-commissioning its carbon monoxide plant which will provide feedstock for the production of acetic acid and other products. [ID:nLI91727]

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia is investing in a massive expansion plan in petrochemicals and chemicals as it looks to profit more from processing energy resources and become less dependent on crude revenues alone. (Reporting by Reem Shamseddine, Editing by Mike Peacock)