ELAB’s output of 130,000 tons of linear alkyl benzene (LAB)—the primary ingredient in industrial detergents—has set a new benchmark. The company not only fulfilled all domestic demand but also exported surplus to secure valuable hard currency, a critical component of Egypt’s broader petrochemical export strategy.
Speaking at the meeting, Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, praised ELAB as a “model for maximizing added value” through integrated refinery collaboration and innovation. “The project highlights how Egypt can extract greater economic returns from core petroleum products like kerosene,” he said.
A major achievement spotlighted during the session was ELAB’s pioneering conversion of kerosene byproducts into jet fuel, enhancing product utility and minimizing waste. The transformation includes extracting paraffins for LAB and reprocessing residual kerosene into aviation-grade fuel, a move experts call a “win-win” for efficiency and sustainability.
“By transforming low-value byproducts into strategic fuels, ELAB is contributing to both economic value and national energy security,” said Dr. Sameh Kamel, energy analyst at the Arab Petroleum Research Center.
The company also began marketing HAP, a formerly secondary byproduct, which is now in demand as a transformer oil—a development officials say reflects ELAB’s nimble approach to product diversification.
In a first for Egypt’s LAB industry, ELAB obtained an international Carbon Footprint Certificate for its LAB product, aligning with its sustainability goals. The certification, according to Chairman Chemist Alaa El-Din Abdel Fattah, reflects “international recognition of our low emissions and clean production record.”
The company also reported a record 3.8 million safe work hours in 2024, extending its cumulative safety record to over 43.4 million hours since operations began in 2008—an achievement underpinned by extensive training programs and international ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 45001, and 50001).
ELAB is embarking on a production capacity expansion project in cooperation with UOP Honeywell, aimed at modernizing and scaling LAB output. Execution has been assigned to Petroment and Egypt Gas, marking another example of cross-sector collaboration under the Ministry’s “integration-first” strategy.
According to an exclusive source at ELAB, the upcoming “Customized Revamp” is designed to “increase efficiency by 20% and cut emissions by 15%,” solidifying Egypt’s push for smart growth in the petrochemicals sector.
Beyond production, ELAB reaffirmed its commitment to community development, contributing EGP 25 million in 2024 toward educational, health, and social welfare projects in Alexandria Governorate. The company also received ISO 26000 certification for social responsibility, further underlining its role as a responsible corporate citizen.
With momentum building, experts say ELAB’s model could guide future expansions in Egypt’s petrochemical map. The company’s strategy—anchored in value-added production, sustainability, and regional integration—reflects a new era for Egypt’s energy sector.
“ELAB’s progress represents the type of forward-looking industrial development Egypt must scale nationally,” said Dr. Lina Saleh, industrial economist at Cairo University. “It blends innovation, efficiency, and responsibility into one compelling formula.”
