Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla has  inspected the new petrochemical projects in the industrial zone in New Alamein City for the commencement of the first phase of several essential projects involving the production of metallic silicon as well as soda ash and its derivatives.

El Molla stated that the strategy to develop and modernize the petroleum sector is clear in its vision and objectives since its inception in 2016. It included developing existing companies, increasing their production capabilities, and adding new energies and entities that support the growth and development plans undertaken by the Egyptian state in all governorates.

The minister said that value-added petrochemical projects enjoy the interest of the political leadership and the government, and work will be done to expedite their completion according to plan, given their great importance in meeting local market needs, increasing exports, and achieving the goals of sustainable development in the new Alamein region.

El Molla emphasized that he would ensure that acceptable standards of occupational safety, health and sustainability are observed.

The year 2023 witnessed the establishment of projects for the first time in Egypt for soda ash products and silicon products, El Molla noted.

During a presentation of the planned projects on the petrochemical land of the industrial complex in El Alamein, Ibrahim Mekky, head of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), indicated that the land is planned to include the two projects as well as the facilities and logistics project to serve projects in the region.

Additionally, Petrojet’s Chairman Walid Lotfy reviewed the equipment that Petrojet made in the projects’ land and its construction of a concrete wall of about 12 km long to secure the land, the components of which were implemented in Petrojet’s yard in El Alamein.

The soda ash project (sodium carbonate) aims to produce about 600,000 tons annually, in addition to its derivatives such as light soda ash, heavy soda ash, and sodium bicarbonate.