Regional news

Citric acid plans

A Saudi firm plans to set up a citric acid plant in the west of Saudi Arabia, according to a statement published in the local press.

Production will start in 2013 with more than 20,000 tonnes of citric acid, which is mainly used in soft drinks, and this output will rise to 40,000 by 2016, Saudi Bio-acids Company, said in a statement published in the Saudi press.

Production would mainly target domestic demand with a surplus going into exports. The plant would be based in Rabigh on the Red Sea coast and would employ 2,000 people, the statement said.

To cover half of the expected costs the firm has asked for help from a Saudi development fund, Saudi Bio-acids said, without disclosing the value of the investment.

According to the firm’s website, Saudi Bio-acids Co comprises several unnamed Saudi investors.