Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has signed an agreement with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to join a new world-scale chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride (EDC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production facility at TA’ZIZ in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

The agreement capitalizes on growing demand for these critical industrial raw materials and leverages the strengths of ADNOC and Reliance as global industrial and energy leaders. The project will be constructed in the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone, which is a joint venture between ADNOC and ADQ.

Under the terms of the agreement, TA’ZIZ and Reliance will construct an integrated plant, with capacity to produce 940 thousand tons of chlor-alkali, 1.1 million tons of ethylene dichloride and 360 thousand tons of PVC annually.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO said,  “We are delighted to attract an investor of Reliance’s caliber to partner with ADNOC and ADQ in accelerating growth at TA’ZIZ. This agreement is a significant milestone, as we continue to grow a globally competitive industrial ecosystem and highly attractive investor value proposition.”

“In line with our 2030 strategy, we look forward to creating further opportunities across the entire TA’ZIZ ecosystem for the next generation of local industry. The domestic production of critical industrial raw materials strengthens our supply chains, drives In-Country Value and accelerates the UAE’s economic diversification,” added Jaber.

Welcoming this initiative, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh D. Ambani said, "We at Reliance are excited to enter into a Strategic Partnership with ADNOC for establishing a world-class and world-scale chemical project at TA’ZIZ in Ruwais. This important milestone further bolsters our long-standing relationship with ADNOC, reaffirming our faith in the global vision of the UAE’s wise leadership."

"It is also yet another testimony to the enormous potential in advancing India-UAE cooperation in value enhancement in the energy and petrochemicals sectors. The project will manufacture ethylene dichloride, a key building block for production of PVC in India. This is a significant step in globalizing Reliance’s operations, and we are proud to partner with ADNOC in this important project for the region,” added Ambani.

Production of these chemicals will create opportunities for local industry to source critical raw materials in the UAE for the first time, creating additional opportunities for In-County Value. For example, chlor-alkali will enable production of caustic soda, essential for the production of aluminum. Ethylene dichloride and PVC have a wide range of applications across housing, infrastructure and consumer goods.

Tenders for the initial design of the seven TA’ZIZ chemicals derivatives projects have been awarded and work is ongoing. Final investment decisions for the projects and awards of related EPC contracts are being targeted for 2022.