Qapco increases investments by QR6.2 bln

06-Feb-06

Qapco is to invest a total of QR6.2 bln in expansion projects and joint ventures to boost Qatar's ethylene and low density polyethylene (LDPE) production significantly. Post expansion, ethylene production will rise to 1.3 mln tpa and LDPE will rise to 1.12 mln tpa by 2010. Qapco has launched a major expansion at Mesaieed, dubbed EP2 and scheduled for completion in Q2 2007. Under EP2, Qapco is enhancing the capacity of its existing ethylene plant to 720,000 metric tpa from the current 525,000 tpa. Qatofin, a joint venture with QP and Total Petrochemicals, scheduled for completion by 2008-end is to produce 450,000 tpa LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene). The Ras Laffan Cracker, scheduled to commence production in 2007 is another joint venture by Qatofin, QP and Q-ChemII will be one of the world's largest ethane cracker plants. Qapco has also initiated a study to establish another low-density polyethylene plant (LDPE-3). The proposed capacity is 250,000 tpa. By the completion of this project in Q4 2009, Qapco's total LDPE production capacity will go up to 650,000 tpa.