SABIC’s Ibn Sina POM plant to go operational in Q3

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.’s (SABIC) Ibn Sina Polyoxymethylene (POM) Project in Jubail Industrial City is expected to launch commercial operations in the third quarter of this year, SABIC said in a statement to Tadawul on Thursday.

The project’s performance and operational capacity is still being tested, but this will not have any financial impact, the statement said, adding that the impact is expected to show after commercial operation.

According to data compiled by Argaam, SABIC started the Ibn Sina Polyoxymethylene (POM) Project on April 20, 2014 and was planning to complete it by Q1 2016. It has been delayed since due to trial tests.

The project will use internally-produced methanol as the main feedstock in producing the Polyoxymethylene , which is a product used in automotive industries, as well as mechanical and construction industries, besides other industrial applications.

SABIC owns 50 percent of National Methanol Co. (IBN SINA), while Celanese and Duke Energy Corporation own the remaining stake.