Sipchem announces the start up of Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Plant

Tue, 22 December 2009

The Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) announced the start-up of its Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Plant in its Jubail Industrial City site on 19 December, 2009. The start-up of the VAM Plant is considered the final step towards the full operation of the integrated Acetyls Complex. Last month Sipchem announced the start-up of its Acetic Acid Plant and advised that half of the Acetic Acid production will be utilized as a feed-stock for the Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Plant.

On 23/11/2009 Sipchem announced the start of the final preparations for the operation of the Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) plant. The annual production capacity of the VAM Plant is 330 thousand metric tons of Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM). The technology for The plant was provided by the American company Du Pont.

The full operation of the Acetyls Complex is considered a positive step towards the diversification of the company product portfolio and the enhancement of its profitability. In addition, it will also open the door wide for many downstream industries in the Kingdom which in turn will have its positive impact on the expansion and the diversification of end products industries.