In November 2008, Sabic and ExxonMobil Chemical signed an agreement to undertake a feasibility study for establishing a new elastomers plant at Kemya.
In May 2011, Sabic and ExxonMobil awarded FEED contracts for the process units of the project to Jacobs Engineering and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding.
Fluor Transworld Services was awarded the FEED contract for associated support facilities.
Technology licence agreements have also been finalised with Continental Carbon Company for its carbon black production technology.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been contracted to provide its SBR and polybutadiene rubber technology.
In February 2012, the Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission approved the project with an estimated capital expenditure of $2bn
The project is expected to establish a domestic supply of more than 400,000 tonnes of:
- Rubber (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM), Butyl, Styrene-Butadiene rubber (SBR), Butadiene rubber (BR))
- Thermoplastic specialty polymers
- Carbon black
