SOCAR selects INEOS's polyethylene technology for Azerbaijan complex

At the Azerbaijan complex, SOCAR Polymer will produce medium-density and high-density polyethylene grades.

The products produced at the plant will include commodity grades made from Ziegler and Chrome catalysts as well as speciality grades such as bimodal PE 100 pipe products.

INEOS Technologies CEO Peter Williams said: "INEOS is very pleased to support the development of the petrochemical industry in Azerbaijan and looks forward to working with SOCAR Polymer to deliver a first class manufacturing asset."

Planned to be constructed at the Chemical Industrial Park, the complex is expected to produce 120,000t of HDPE, as well as 200,000t of polypropylene.

The polypropylene and HDPE plants are expected to begin operations in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

SOCAR Polymer was formed by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) to manage construction of a plant to produce polypropylene and HDPE.

Earlier this month, Maire Tecnimont was selected to provide engineering, construction, and procurement (EPC) services for polypropylene plant.

SOCAR has secured $425m loan from Russia's Gazprombank for the polypropylene and HDPE projects.