Saudi Arabia’s Inochem starts trial runs at soda ash, calcium chloride plants

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Khair Inorganic Chemical Industries Co (Inochem) has started trial operations at its soda ash and calcium chloride plants in Saudi Arabia, its part-owner Sahara International Petrochemical Co (Sipchem) said.

The 300,000 tonne/year soda ash plant and the 350,000 tonne/year calcium chloride plant are located at the Ras Al-Khair Industrial City. Total project cost was Saudi riyal (SR) 2.9bn ($773m), Sipchem said in a filing on the Saudi bourse on 12 November.

“The trial operation [which started on 10 November] will continue until the testing of the plant equipment is completed and its efficiency is confirmed,” the company said.

Sipchem owns 30% of Inochem.

In late October, Sipchem reported a 70% year-on-year decline in third-quarter net profit to SR233.1m on lower selling prices of products, as well as lower share of profits from investment in a joint venture and associates.

in million Saudi riyal (SR)	Q2 2023	Q2 2022	% change	Jan-Sept 2023	Jan-Sept 2022	% change
Sales	1,789.4	2,853.4	(37.3)	5,578.2	8,298.9	(32.8)
Operating income	304.7	909.9	(66.5)	1,218.8	3,430.0	(64.5)
Net profit	233.1	774.4	(69.9)	1,016.3	3,116.3	(67.4)

($1 = SR3.75)

Thumbnail image: Detergents on shelf. Soda ash is used in the manufacturing of glass, detergents, chemicals, in the extraction and smelting of metals such as alumina, and other industrial products, as well as in the manufacturing of lithium carbonate used in lithium ion batteries. (Photo by Jochen Tack/imageBROKER/Shutterstock)