Saudi Arabia will have a world-scale organometallics production facility located in the Arabian Gulf industrial city of Jubail following the setting up of a joint venture.

The JV, named Saudi Organometallic Chemicals Company (SOCC), was formed by Sabic affiliate Ibn Hayyan Plastic Products Company (Tayf)  and Albemarle Corporation. The plant will have an initial investment of approximately SR300 million ($80 million).

SOCC will be the first company of its kind producing these products in the region. Construction of the facility is expected to begin before the end of the year 2009, with start-up anticipated by early 2012.

Sabic vice chairman and CEO Mohamed Al-Mady said,  "This joint venture represents another important step in our vision to become the preferred world leader in chemicals.  Moreover, this facility will provide strategically needed security for the supply of tri-ethyl aluminum catalyst, which is critically required for our multi-billion dollar polyolefins industry."

Mark C Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of Albemarle, said, "We are excited to bring this enabling technology to the Middle East and we are equally pleased to be doing so in partnership with Sabic, one of the world's leading chemical companies.  This new world-scale production unit will help us safely and efficiently serve our customers while also providing a foundation for Albemarle to capitalise on other opportunities emerging in the region." The new facility will have the capacity to produce 6,000 tones of  tri-ethyl aluminum equivalents annually.