Saudi Chemical Company (SCC), which recorded a big surge in net profits in 2008 and is prominent as a supplier of explosives, plans to intensify efforts to win orders in states north of Saudi Arabia, a senior official says.

Mohammed Al-Sogaih, deputy general manager, said the company was keen to penetrate beyond its traditional markets of Saudi Arabia, other GCC states and East Africa and venture into Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
The company would highlight its superior products and timely deliveries to gain customers in new markets, he said.
SCC’s explosives have been used in recent months in the mining areas of Medina, Qassim and sites west of Riyadh.
The company also supplies explosives to contractors who clear terrain for construction. In recent months it received orders from Saudi Bin Ladin, Al Rashid and Al Swekat.
Total sales including those from subsidiaries were SR1.5 billion ($400 million) in 2008 whereas the net profit was SR201 million, a 79 per cent increase over the previous year.
In a statement on the Saudi bourse website it said the profit surge was driven by a 25 per cent growth in annual sales and also by a decrease in foreign exchange losses of one of its subsidiaries.
The company’s subsidiaries are Sitco Pharma and Suez International Nitrate Company.

Main products
SCC’s main products are Kemulex, Prillex and Sanel.
Kemulex is an emulsion-type explosive characterised by high detonation velocity and good waterproof properties. Prillex is a dry blasting agent which is composed of ammonium nitrates and fuel oil (Anfo). Sanel provides control and accuracy, reduces blasting vibration and improves fragmentation.
One of its latest products is Enviroseis, a seismic explosive whose production began five years ago. It is now used for oil and gas exploration projects in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco has granted it approval for use in its seismic exploration projects.
SCC also offers a variety of electrical detonators, detonating cords and other accessories for rock blasting and oil exploration shooting.
The company was formed in 1972 as a joint venture between Nitro Nobel AB Sweden and Saudi investors. The production of Prillex began in 1974, followed by Kemulex in 1984, Sanel in 1990 and Enviroseis in 2004.
The company is accredited to ISO 9001 and is in the process of implementing the ISO 15001 and Ohsas 18001 standards.
An important milestone was the conversion of the company in 1998 from a limited liability operation to a joint stock company and in 2001 its shares were listed on the Saudi Stock Market.
SCC offers complete blasting contracts to include the transportation of explosives, storage, planning, drilling and blasting.
“We have a well-trained and experienced team of licensed blasters and blasting technicians who can carry out any type of blasting operations,” says a company text.
“We are specialised in high-capacity pipeline trench blasting, blasting for road cuts and foundations, in-city blasting where special caution is required and demolition of buildings.”
SCC has a modern fleet of Atlas Copco and Tamrock electro hydraulic drill rigs with a complete workshop. The company also offers approved magazines for the storage of explosives and detonators at worksites as well as vehicles for the transportation of explosives.

Safety aspect underscored
It stresses it does not compromise on safety aspects. “Our safety culture fosters attitudes and practices that extend outside the workplace,” the company text states. “In fact, by cultivating safe work attitudes, we are insuring the safety of the general public while we go about our business. This includes not only safe manufacturing practices but also planning and transportation to and from our storage facilities to clients.
“Each of our allies and technical consultants for civil explosives, Yara Austin International and Swiss Explosives Co, performs annual safety audits in all our production facilities.”
The company also emphasises the importance of training Saudi nationals in new blasting techniques, safety and the handling of explosives.