The new olefin and polyolefins complex operated by Borouge (Abu Dhabi / United Arab Emirates; www.borouge.com) is set to begin operations in mid-2010, as planned – see Plasteurope.com of 11.02.2009. The joint venture between Borealis (Vienna / Austria; www.borealisgroup.com) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc, Abu Dhabi / UAE; www.adnoc.com), whose investment backer International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC, Abu Dhabi / UAE; www.ipic.ae) controls a majority of Borealis, will triple the capacity of Borouge’s Ruwais (UAE) complex to 2m t/y of PE and PP. However, the official inauguration will only be held in a few months’ time, a Borealis spokeswoman told PIE. She did not comment on when the complex would be running at full capacity.

With capacities of 1.4m t/y of ethylene, 540,000 t/y of PE and 800,000 t/y of PP, “Borouge 2” will complement the group’s existing capacity of 600,000 t/y of PE. The “Borouge 3“ project foresees a third expansion, adding 2.5m t/y of polyolefin capacity. Borealis said the project is making great strides, adding that the basic engineering phase and activity at the construction site was in full swing already. Borouge 3 is scheduled to go on stream by the end of 2013.