Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek Al Molla has inspected the construction work of the Suez Methanol Derivatives Plant in Damietta Port. During his visit, Al Molla highlighted the importance of accelerating the implementation of this vital project, which is a valuable addition provided by the Egyptian petrochemical industry within its updated plan until 2040.
Al Molla stated that the project’s products, which serve many plastics and construction industries, will provide a large part of the needs of the local market, which is witnessing an unprecedented number of developmental projects throughout the country.
During the inspection tour, Hisham Selim, Chairman of the Suez Methanol Derivatives Company (SMD), gave a presentation in which he pointed out that the methanol derivatives project is currently being implemented by the Company for the production of specialized petrochemicals that comes in line with achieving the objectives of the updated national plan for petrochemicals by establishing new entities specialized in the petrochemical industry.
The project aims to produce formaldehyde derivatives based on about 45,000 tons annually of methanol produced by Methanex Egypt, 48,000 tons annually of urea produced by MOPCO, caustic soda produced by the Egyptian Petrochemical Company, sulfuric acid produced in the local market, and imported naphthalene, in order to meet part of the local demand with the possibility of exporting the surplus.
The production capacity of the factory being implemented is 140,000 tons annually, divided into 21,000 tons per year of liquid urea formaldehyde, 85% concentration, which is used as an anti-caking agent for urea fertilizer; 66,000 tons annually of liquid urea formaldehyde resin, which is used as an adhesive and glue in the manufacture of furniture, wood panels and MDF wood; and 53,000 tons yearly of sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde, used to improve the properties of ready-mixed concrete.
