Borouge, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Austrian chemical giant Borealis, has announced a new milestone in the construction of its Borouge 4 expansion project in Ruwais, with the early works phase already underway.
The new Borouge 4 facility covers an area equivalent to almost 500 football pitches. Upon completion, it will add an additional 1.4 million tonnes of polyethylene and boost the total annual production capacity of polyolefins produced in the UAE to 6.4 million tonnes.
The plant will utilise Borealis' proprietary Borstar technology, to produce high-quality polyolefin solutions meeting growing customer demand across a range of industrial sectors, including infrastructure, energy, advanced packaging and agriculture throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Borouge 4 Project Director Sultan Zaid Al Shehhi said: "Borouge 4 is on track and will enter its next phase of development with the construction of the infrastructure, which includes establishing the utility system, roadwork and associated civil works of the complex."
The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors are set to start work this month, he added.
As one of the key pillars of Adnoc's growth strategy, Borouge 4 will contribute to the continued development of the UAE's downstream and industry sector.
The facility will create opportunities for UAE-based manufacturers to "Make It in the Emirates". It will also supply feedstock for the TA'ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone, which is catalysing the next phase of the UAE's industrial growth.
"Borouge 4 is an enabler of Adnoc's growth strategy and the UAE and Abu Dhabi's industrial growth and diversification plans. We are proud to already be contributing to the 'Make It In The Emirates' programme, with more than 25% of the total materials and equipment of the complex being 'Made in the UAE'," said Al Shehhi.
"We have safely completed 1.5 million man-hours to date, and with our UAE contractor, Al Asab, we look forward to successfully completing the early works phase," he added.