Arabian Industrial Fibers Company, a Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) affiliate, has signed a letter of intent with EPC Engineering & Consulting (EPCEC) to prepare the basic design package and performance of other related engineering services for the Ibn Rushd Pet (polyethylene terephthalate) conversion and de-bottlenecking project at the Ibn Rushd complex in Yanbu.

Ibn Rushd president Awadh M Al Maker signed the agreement with EPC Engineering & Consulting managing director Michael Streng.
“This project is expected to go on-stream by late 2007 with an annual capacity exceeding 300,000 tonnes of bottle-grade chips,” adds Al Maker. “This includes conversion of all polymer lines to produce bottle grade chips.
Al Maker says the annual capacity increase/conversion will further enhance Sabic’s position among PET producers and strengthen its competitive and leading capabilities in the regional marketplace.