The Sadara Chemical Company – a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and The Dow Chemical Company – commissioned its 26th plant, which is the first isocyanates facility the Gulf region.

There, crude quantities of toluene di isocyanate (TDI) and other specialty chemicals are produced.

The TDI section is mainly used in the production of flexible polyurethane foam for furniture, mattresses, cushioning and car seats, according to Rachelle Schikorra, associate director of Corporate Media, Financial and Strategic Communications at The Dow Chemical Company.

The TDI section consists of three integrated units producing di nitro toluene (DNT), toluene di amine (TDA), and toluene di isocyanate (TDI), Schikorra added.

Both the DNT and TDA units started operations in April, while the TDI unit began crude production the week of Aug. 13, she said.

Polymeric methylene di phenyl di isocyanate (PMDI) and polyether polyols are also being produced at this location, per Schikorra.

Said Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris: "Commissioning of Sadara’s final plant marks a pivotal moment in the history of this landmark public and private partnership that advances Dow’s growth strategy and will help transform the Kingdom’s rich resources into solutions for the world through a thriving manufacturing sector.”

Sadara will serve Dow customers across the Asia Pacific, India, the Middle East, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.

According to Schikorra, Sadara is the world’s largest integrated chemicals complex ever built in a single phase, and was established by the largest foreign direct investment in the Saudi petrochemicals industry.

Sadara’s specialty chemicals portfolio includes facilities that manufacture propylene oxide, propylene glycol, ethylene oxide, glycol ethers, amines, isocyanates and polyether polyols, she added.