Saudi Arabia has doubled its market share of exported glycol in China during first half of 2001, reaching 231,000 tons, equivalent to 27 percent of the Chinese market share. The Asian nation's demand for glycol has grown by 25 percent in 2002, making it the world’s largest glycol consumer. Consumption of glycol in China will reach 2.65 million tons in 2002 with 1.5 million tons being imported glycol.
Ethylene Glycol (EG) is a derivative of natural gas. Saudi Arabia is by far the largest exporter of EG and one of the world's low-cost producers of the commodity petrochemical. The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is currently constructing an new ethylene glycol plant, considered to be the largest of its kind in the world, with annual capacity of 630,000 metric tons of ethylene glycol.
Ethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. Ethylene glycol is used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats. It is an ingredient in hydraulic brake fluids and in inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens, and print shops. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
