MIDLAND, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) today announced that its joint venture in the Middle East – Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara) – has achieved a significant milestone, starting up its mixed feed cracker (MFC).

“The startup of the mixed feed cracker is a pivotal next step in realizing the full value creation of this world-scale integrated complex, which builds upon the unique strengths of its parent companies to deliver a portfolio of differentiated, high-value plastics and specialty chemical products throughout emerging economies.”

“Sadara is a fundamental cornerstone in Dow’s strategic actions to deliver consistent, long-term earnings growth for our shareholders and enhanced value and market access for our customers,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The startup of the mixed feed cracker is a pivotal next step in realizing the full value creation of this world-scale integrated complex, which builds upon the unique strengths of its parent companies to deliver a portfolio of differentiated, high-value plastics and specialty chemical products throughout emerging economies.”

Sadara supports Dow’s strategy to enable cost-advantaged growth in key regions such as Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Eastern and Central Europe in key markets such as packaging, construction, electronics and transportation. The MFC is one of 26 manufacturing assets being built at the complex in Jubail Industrial City II, the largest of its kind ever built in a single phase. Ethylene and propylene produced by the MFC will be subsequently converted to a wide range of value-added plastics and specialty chemicals through Sadara’s other manufacturing units.

The complex has already commissioned two polyethylene trains, qualifying 25 products to date and shipping PE to nearly 100 customers in more than 25 countries. Sadara remains on schedule for a sequenced start-up process, continuing with the polyethylene and polyolefins envelope to maximize timing in the ethylene cycle, followed by ethylene oxide/propylene oxide and their derivatives. The more than 3 million metric tons of performance-focused products will add new value chains to the Kingdom’s vast petroleum reserves, resulting in the diversification of the economy and region.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160829005476/en/Dow-Announces-Start-up-Sadara-Mixed-Feed-Cracker