THE WOODLANDS, TX - Huntsman Corp. and Zamil Group Holding Co., a global investment company, announced completion of their new ethyleneamines joint-venture plant at a ceremony held in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The 27,000-tonne-per-year plant, which will be operated by Arabian Amines Co. (AAC), is currently undergoing commissioning and will begin deliveries in April. AAC is the Huntsman/Zamil Group 50:50 joint venture company established to deliver this project.

 

The joint venture will license Huntsman’s proprietary ethyleneamines production technology and Huntsman will have exclusive sales, marketing and technical service rights for the plant’s output.

 

Peter R. Huntsman, President and CEO of Huntsman Corp., said, “We are delighted to be cooperating with the Zamil Group on this critical component of Huntsman’s growth strategy for our global amines business.” He added, “This new capacity makes Huntsman the largest global supplier of ethyleneamines and a global leader in amine chemistry. We are committed to continuing our focus on the Middle East and supporting our international markets.”

 

The new ethyleneamines plant will produce ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and higher molecular weight versions such as TEPA, E-100, AEP and piperazine. The products serve as specialty intermediates for a variety of end uses including epoxy-curing agents, lube-oil additives for gasoline and diesel engines, fungicides, wet strength resins and bleach activators.

 

Last December, the two companies also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the construction of a new morpholine and Diglycolamine® Agent amines plant again in Jubail and also based on proprietary Huntsman technology. Further, Huntsman’s Performance Products division licenses it maleic anhydride technology to International Diol Corp., a Saudi company with operations in Jubail and in which Zamil Group and Huntsman are shareholders (with others including Sipchem).