Generic Hero BannerGeneric Hero Banner
Latest market news

Oman's OQ invests $88mn in local polymer industry

  • : Petrochemicals
  • 23/12/11

Omani state-controlled petrochemical producer OQ has signed nine agreements worth $88mn with various downstream companies to establish polymer projects in its upcoming Ladayn Polymer Park (LPP) located in Sohar Industrial City.

These agreements were signed in line with Oman's Vision 2040, which aims to develop Oman's private sector while moving away from hydrocarbon use.

The park will have an area of 1mn m². LPP has been set up to integrate virgin plastic converters and plastic recyclers to increase Oman's plastic self-sufficiency and circularity. OQ estimates that the agreements will contribute around $46mn annually to its in-country value, while creating 290 job opportunities directly and 600 indirectly. The in-country value is economic value added from local operations and spend retained in the country.

OQ is a key Middle East polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) producer for buyers in the region and in south Asia, southeast Asia and China. OQ operates a 340,000 t/yr PP plant. It started up a new 300,000 t/yr PP plant, a 400,000 t/yr high density PE (HDPE) plant and a 440,000 t/yr linear low PE/HDPE swing plant in 2021. These plants are located at Liwa Plastics Industries Complex in Sohar Industrial City.

OQ secured a deal in February to be the main supplier of required raw materials at preferential rates for the development of projects at LPP in Sohar Industrial City.

In a related development, state-owned The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) signed seven land usufruct agreements for a duration of 33 years at reduced prices. The duration of the agreement can be extended.

Developers of the project are aiming to house producers of plastic products used in sectors like construction, infrastructure, packaging, hygiene, healthcare products, textiles and furniture, at the site.

Agreements OQ has signed for Ladayn Polymer Park
CompanyProductValue of deal
Mohammad Riaz Sons PlasticAdvanced sustainable plastic food packaging components$35mn
NapcoPackaging bags for petrochemical products, plastic compounds and packagingStarts at $15mn, rises to $48mn
MAK Germany GmBHSpecialised plastic compounds$11mn
Madayn Plastic Company SPCShrink wrap tapes, packaging bags for petrochemical products, food packaging and frozen food bags$8mn
Jil TechnologyInnovative 3D manufacturing$6mn
JcoplasticsPlastic waste containers, boxes and pallets$6mn
GeminiPlastic recycling and sustainability to manufacture plastic products$3mn
National Plastic LumberWood plastic composite products used in construction$1.5mn
Al Farida Industry & TradeColour masterbatch$1.5mn

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

25/11/07

State AGs: Groups' recycling work 'anticompetitive'

State AGs: Groups' recycling work 'anticompetitive'

Houston, 7 November (Argus) — A multistate coalition of US state attorneys general led by Florida are accusing environmental organizations of potentially violating state and federal antitrust laws by coordinating with large US corporations to impose "anticompetitive recycling practices." In a 29 October letter sent to the US Plastics Pact, The Consumer Goods Forum, and the Green Blue Institute, Florida attorney general James Uthmeier and attorneys general from Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Montana said that by pushing major corporations to "align on restrictive plastic production and packaging standards" the environmental organizations are taking actions that could "unlawfully restrain competition, increase costs, and limit consumer choice." The letter states that by "collectively dictating what materials are deemed ‘recyclable'" the groups have driven up prices for consumers. "Radical environmental activists do not have the right, nor the avenue, to suppress business operations in our market," Uthmeier said in a separate statement, claiming the three groups were hindering the states' economic prosperity by coordinating business behavior, which he said would violate Florida's antitrust laws. The letters ask the environmental groups to explain how their "coordinated market activities" comply with state and federal antitrust laws, providing supporting documentation. The environmental groups targeted by the AGs promote voluntary packaging standards for major retail brands, offer recyclability guidelines and design frameworks that support sustainability. The Consumer Goods Forum said it has received the letter and will cooperate fully with the attorneys general to address the questions raised. The group said its programs are voluntary, transparent, and backed by antitrust compliance measures. The US Plastics Pact said it is reviewing the letter with legal counsel and remains confident its work complies with all applicable laws. Green Blue Institute has not responded to a request for comment. By Dona Davis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Braskem's third-quarter Brazil resin sales fall


25/10/30
25/10/30

Braskem's third-quarter Brazil resin sales fall

Sao Paulo, 30 October (Argus) — Brazil-based petrochemical producer Braskem's domestic resin sales fell by 9pc in the third quarter from a year before, with volumes also down in the US, Europe, and Mexico. International resin price references during the period were lower, impacting domestic sales' profitability, Braskem said in its preliminary third-quarter production and sales report. This effect was offset by the positive impact of antidumping measures applied over polyethylene (PE) imports from the US and Canada during the quarter and the company's strategy to supply the Brazilian market. Resin sales in Brazil reached 787,000 metric tonnes (t) in the third quarter, down by 9pc from 869,000t a year earlier. Braskem's domestic resin sales fell by 5pc from the second quarter, driven by lower PE sales due to increased imports in July-August and weaker polypropylene (PP) sales amid reduced demand in the Brazilian market. Domestic chemical sales totaled 700,000t in the third quarter, 2pc lower than a year earlier and 11pc higher than in the second quarter. The increase was mainly driven by higher paraxylene sales following the normalization of operations after a planned shutdown, as well as increased demand for ethylene and propylene due to resumed customer operations. Higher demand for gasoline, a result of greater product availability, also contributed. In Mexico, PE sales through the Braskem Idesa joint venture fell by 30pc year-on-year to 146,000t, mostly because of lower product availability, while spreads in the international market remained stable. Braskem Idesa's plant utilization rate fell to 47pc, down by 27 percentage points from a year earlier, because of a scheduled maintenance shutdown and reduced ethane supply from Mexico's state-owned Pemex, which fell to 11,300 b/d from 28,900 b/d in the previous year. But the company's plant utilization rate rose by 3 percentage points quarter-on-quarter. Additionally, the company's new ethane terminal, Terminal Quimica Puerto Mexico (TQPM), began supplying ethane to Braskem Idesa. TQPM, still in the commissioning phase, received approximately 11,300 b/d. Third-quarter PP sales reached 495,000t, according to consolidated figures for the US and Europe. That is a 1pc drop from a year earlier and a 2pc decrease from the previous quarter due to lower demand in both regions. Braskem's combined US and Europe PP plant utilization hit 79pc of capacity, up by 3 percentage points year-on-year and an increase from 74pc in the prior quarter. Braskem will report full third-quarter results on 10 November, it said. By Isabela Mendes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Westlake sees rebounding PVC demand in 2026


25/10/30
25/10/30

Westlake sees rebounding PVC demand in 2026

Houston, 30 October (Argus) — Texas-based housing and construction product manufacturer Westlake expects global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) demand and prices to rebound in 2026, as lower interest rates in the US and capacity cuts in Europe could fuel stronger market conditions. The US Federal Reserve cut its target interest rate by 50 basis points between its September and October meetings, raising hopes for moderately stronger housing demand next year. Housing is a critical derivative market for PVC producers. Additionally, capacity reductions in Europe will help balance global PVC supplies, which remained persistently oversupplied in recent years because of new capacity in China. Poor housing demand this year contributed to nominally lower sales revenue in Westlake's housing and infrastructure segment during the third quarter. Revenue slumped by 1pc to $1.09bn compared with the same three-month period last year. Strong municipal demand for PVC pipes for water treatment systems supported a 1pc increase in the company's infrastructure productions segment sales revenue to $163mn, which was countered by a 1pc decrease in housing product sales at $928mn during the third quarter. Data for US construction spending, housing permits issued, and housing starts is delayed by the ongoing partial partial federal government shutdown, which impacts the US Census Bureau's ability to publish monthly statistics. The latest data from August showed an 11pc yearly drop in privately-owned housing permits issued and a 6pc drop in housing starts. The latest Census Bureau construction spending data, released for July , showed a 5.3pc year-to-year drop in private residential spending and a 10pc drop in commercial spending. Sales from Westlake's performance and essential materials (PEM) segment — which includes olefins, vinyl chemicals, polyetheylene, and epoxies — also declined during the third quarter, falling by 13pc to $1.74bn. Westlake said dampened demand in Europe and Asia limited PEM sales during the quarter. Planned turnarounds and plant outages contributed to the year-over-year sales decrease. Overall, Westlake reported a $782mn loss during the third quarter, down from a $108mn profit in the third quarter of 2024. Total revenue slipped by 9pc to $2.84bn for the quarter. By Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US ethane exports to Mexico reach record high


25/10/30
25/10/30

US ethane exports to Mexico reach record high

Houston, 30 October (Argus) — US ethane exports to Mexico reached a record high in October, just months after Braskem inaugurated its new ethane import terminal in Mexico. The US shipped 40,000 b/d of the petrochemical feedstock to Mexico so far in October, the highest for any month since at least 2016, Kpler data shows. Most of the October volumes that arrived in the port of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, were aboard the Brilliant Future and Brave Future , which are both Brazilian petrochemical firm Braskem's dedicated ethane vessels. The Mexican port is home to Braskem's 80,000 b/d (1.6mn t/yr) ethane import terminal that was inaugurated earlier this year and supplies the company's Mexico-based petrochemical plants. The terminal is part of Braskem's broader efforts to shift away from naphtha as a feedstock and tackle the long-standing ethane supply shortages in Mexico, which stems from a slowdown in domestic ethane production. Mexico's state-owned Pemex's output has declined steadily over the past few years owing to mature oil and gas fields, leading Pemex and private-sector firms to become more reliant on imports. Pemex's ethane production fell to an average of 40,000 b/d from January to September, down from 43,000 b/d the same months a year earlier, and well below the 71,000 b/d it produced in 2020, according to the latest Pemex data. US ethane exports to Mexico could continue to grow as Braskem's trading arm expects delivery of an additional four ethane ships for Braskem's feedstock requirements in 2026. Braskem is also considering adding another PE unit in Mexico, further boosting ethane demand. By Giovann Rosales Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil advances $2.79bn chem sustainability program


25/10/30
25/10/30

Brazil advances $2.79bn chem sustainability program

Sao Paulo, 30 October (Argus) — Brazil's lower house of Congress approved legislation this week establishing a special sustainability program for the chemical industry, known as Presiq, with expected incentives of R15bn ($2.79bn) over five years. The initiative outlined in bill 892/2025 — which must still be approved by the Senate — will use targeted incentives and modernization projects to strengthen and enhance the competitiveness to Brazil's chemicals sector globally and reduce its dependence on imports. The program could generate up to 1.7mn jobs, contribute R112bn to GDP, and increase tax revenues by R65.5bn, according to government estimates. Presiq will operate under two models: an industrial model based on the type of products a company acquires; and an investment model that targets expanding petrochemical industries production capacity, especially through new facilities using natural gas to produce fertilizers. Companies participating in the program may receive financial credits if they invest in research and development. The bill is an extension and replacement of law 11.196/2005, which provides R1bn in support for the chemicals industry through the Reiq program through December 2026. [Reiq, set to expire in December 2026, is a fiscal incentive mechanism that reduces VAT-like PIS/Pasep and Cofins federal taxes on feedstocks used in chemical and petrochemical production, immediately lowering operational costs for qualifying companies. In contrast, Presiq is a broader industrial policy framework, intended to succeed Reiq with a more strategic focus.] The vote took place one week after the release of a joint declaration signed by more than 30 national industrial trade groups. The declaration described Presiq as "a concrete response to the loss of competitiveness and the urgency of a sustainable production model." "New confidence" cycle Presiq's approval marks a new cycle of confidence for the sector and sends a signal that Brazil intends to compete at a high level, said André Passos Cordeiro, the executive president of Brazil's chemical industry association Abiquim. The program provides job security and predictability for investment, innovation, and the attraction of new industrial plants focused on sustainability and production safety, he said. The proposal will now be reviewed by the senate's environment and sustainable development, finance and taxation, and constitution and justice committees. The full senate must also approve the bill for it to become law. Brazil's chemical industry currently operates at around 60pc of its installed capacity, the lowest level since the 1990s, according to Abiquim. A lack of investment, outdated technology, and competition from imports have eroded the sector's competitiveness. Analysts consider Presiq to be a critical tool to reverse this trend by encouraging modernization and productivity. By Fred Fernandes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more