The board of directors for Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical Co. recently visited the Sadara Chemical Company industrial complex to view the progress of the mega project in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The chemicals and plastics complex, based in Jubail, is 98 percent finished. It is the largest in the world that has ever been constructed in one phase. Experts estimate that it will be fully operational by 2017.
"Sadara represents a bold undertaking for both Saudi Aramco and for Dow,” Saudi Aramco Chairman Khalid Al-Falih said. “For us at Saudi Aramco, it is a major driver in achieving our goals of greater integration and value addition. Sadara represents the concrete realization of our distinct yet complementary corporate visions - it is one way in which Saudi Aramco is helping to deliver on its abiding commitment to the kingdom."
The joint venture was first approved four years ago. The leaders were pleased with the progress that has been made since then.
"Thanks to Dow and Saudi Aramco 's partnership, our shared vision for Sadara is fast becoming a reality: an unprecedented achievement of historic size and scale,” Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris said. “Sadara is much more than a value-add powerhouse ... and a vital hub of advanced manufacturing. It also represents a paradigm shift - for the kingdom, for this region and for the emerging world ... where 90 percent of Sadara's products will be sold. By combining globally competitive feedstocks with cutting-edge innovation, Sadara will generate billions of dollars in revenues and create thousands of jobs."