Clariant (Muttenz / Switzerland; www.clariant.com) has started construction on a new white masterbatch plant in Yanbu / Saudi Arabia. Financial details and nameplate capacity of the facility, due to start up in early 2017, were not disclosed. The 38,000 m² plant will be operated by Clariant Masterbatches Saudi Arabia – the company’s joint venture with Tasnee (Riyadh / Saudi Arabia; www.tasnee.com) subsidiary Rowad National Plastic (Riyadh / Saudi Arabia; www.rowadplastic.com).

The Saudi group acquired a 40% stake in Clariant Masterbatches Saudi Arabia in 2013 (see Plasteurope.com of 13.08.2013). At the time, the two jv partners had already touted plans for a white masterbatch joint venture, originally due to start up in 2015.

The Swiss group, which also operates a manufacturing plant in Riyadh, said the investment is one of the most important for its Masterbatch business unit in recent years. The location in Yanbu will not only give the new plant ready access to raw materials produced at the industrial site, but is also located close to sea and airport facilities, allowing for exports to other regions. Commenting on the decision to build a facility there, Marco Cenisio, head of Masterbatches at Clariant, said the plant “will allow us to offer a broader product portfolio to customers in the Kingdom and in the Middle East/Africa region.”