Emerson to Automate Massive Tahrir Petrochemicals Project in Egypt

Emerson (USA) and Carbon Holdings, the privately owned Egyptian petrochemical firm, today announced that Emerson Process Management has been selected to provide automation and reliability technologies and services for Carbon Holdings’ Tahrir Petrochemicals Project at Ain Sokhna, Egypt. Emerson’s initial scope of work is estimated at US$150 million.

When completed, the approximately US$6.9 billion Tahrir project will be the largest petrochemical plant in Egypt and the largest naphtha cracker plant in the world. It will produce 1.5 million tonnes per year of ethylene that will then be further processed into polyethylene. Other major products will include propylene, polypropylene, hexene, butadiene, benzene, and styrene.  Construction and operation of the Tahrir Petrochemicals complex is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect permanent and construction jobs in Egypt.

As Main Automation Contractor, Emerson will apply best practice technologies and services to help ensure the facility is completed on time and within budget. Engineering services include designing the plant for optimum availability, and Emerson will also provide a robust reliability programme that includes consulting services, equipment health monitoring, and a reliability service centre for ongoing local support and expertise.

The announcement was made at Emerson’s Middle East headquarters in Dubai where David Farr, chairman and CEO of Emerson, met with Basil El-Baz, chairman and CEO of Carbon Holdings, for the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding the contract award.

“Investments of this size require us to select partners that have a long history of handling large, complex projects and the expertise to produce a reliable plant with dependable output,” said Carbon Holdings’ El-Baz. “We chose Emerson for its proven ability to deliver a successful automation project that results in an efficient, high-availability operation.”

Designed to serve both local and export markets, the Tahrir Petrochemicals complex will be constructed in Egypt’s Suez Special Economic Development Zone, with raw materials received and products shipped from the Gulf of Suez. Financing for the mega-project is expected to come from the export credit agencies of the United States, Korea, Italy and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, as well as direct investors. Under the memorandum of understanding, Emerson will also make a preferred equity investment in Tahrir Petrochemicals.

“We are excited to help Carbon Holdings realise its vision of creating a world-class petrochemical complex that can be a catalyst for economic development in Egypt,” said Farr. “With Emerson’s technologies, experience, and expertise, Carbon Holdings has positioned itself for top quartile performance – not only in project execution, but ongoing operations as well.”