(US-SABC.org) -- The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) and Sahara Petrochemical Company (Sahara), which is 90 % owned by Zamil Group Holding, have established a new joint venture that will create a caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC) plant. The USD 750 mln (SR2.81 billion) project, located within Sahara's complex in Jubail Industrial City, will produce 250 KTa of caustic soda and 300 KTa of EDC.
The two companies also agreed to use the procured caustic soda in the production of alumina for Ma'aden's refinery in Ras Azzour. The joint venture arrangement follows the announcement by both companies last year that they received the approval of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund to provide USD 240 mln (SR900 million) in project financing.