AZERBAIJAN: Italian firm joins project to upgrade Sumgayit ethylene-polyethylene plant

Technip Italy has joined the project for reconstruction of the ethylene-polyethylene plant in Azerbaijan's Sumgayit city.

The Italian company will conduct detailed designing and provide services to support supplies as part of the project. The relevant agreement on involvement of the company in the reconstruction project was reached between Technip Italy and Azerikimya Production Union of Azerbaijan's state energy giant Socar on 9 March 2016.

The signing ceremony was attended by Rovnag Abdullayev, President of SOCAR, Giampaolo Cutillo, Italy’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan and Marco Villa, CEO of Technip Italy.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Abdullayev said that as part of the plant’s reconstruction, processing installations will be modernized and the new ones will be constructed. "This will make it possible to increase the production facilities at Azerikimya, ensure the supply of raw materials to polyethylene and polypropylene production installations and meet the local demand," he said.

The reconstruction of the plant is expected to increase the country’s export potential, enhance the security of the technological process and quality of raw materials and finished products.

Abdullayev further added that the designing and construction works will be carried out in stages until 2019.

In October 2015, when Azerbaijan marked the 70th anniversary of the chemical industry, President Ilham Aliyev revealed the government's plan to allocate some USD750 million investments to the Socar Polymer plant.

Source: Daily “AzerNews”, Baku; 10 Mar 2016
(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)