UAE-based Borouge has started polymer production at its 1.4mn t/yr Borouge 4 megaproject in Abu Dhabi's Al Ruwais Industrial city from early April.
The XLPE 2 unit, which produces cross-linked polyethylene, was the first to start production, the company said today in a filing to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Output at Borouge 4 will be ramped up through 2026 as the remaining units are commissioned.
Once fully online, Borouge 4 is expected to lift the company's total polymers capacity by 28pc to 6.4mn t/yr, making the Al Ruwais complex one of the world's largest single-site polyolefins facilities.
Output from the project will primarily target India and China — Asia's largest petrochemical markets.
The start-up comes as Borouge works to normalise operations after halting production at some units following damage caused by falling debris from drone attacks. The initial repairs have been completed on affected lines and, following a phased restart, most units are now online, with utilisation increasing.
The company's sales volumes over January-March fell by 13pc year on year, partly due to the closure of the strait of Hormuz, Borouge said. It was able to export 61pc of its March production volumes via alternative routes, it added.
