Kemya, Continental Carbon start Saudi carbon black plant

Brussels – Kemya, a joint venture between Sabic and ExxonMobil, and Continental Carbon Co. have started up a 50 kilotonnes-per-annum carbon black plant in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, the companies officially announced 21 March.

The facility is based on carbon black production technology licensed by Continental Carbon. Output, which will go mainly to the tire industry, is to be commercialised by Continental Carbon Europe, under the Continex tradename.

This new plant will help Continental Carbon expand its presence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and in Asia Pacific, according to Monique Lempereur, managing director of Continental Carbon Europe.

“The license to Kemya is also bringing to the market a new competitive source of carbon black produced by a large and reputable joint venture,’ said Lempereur.

(Image: Generic petrochemical plant image from ERJ library)