Indian petrochemical giant Sanmar plans to invest $350m in the expansion of its Egypt plant Trust Chemical Industries (TCI) in Port Said, raising its total investment in the country to $1.45bn, reported Amwal Al-Ghad.

The expansion is part of Sanmar’s decision to turn TCI, acquired in 2007, into the largest integrated producers of caustic soda and PVC in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Caustic soda is used in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents, while PVC is used in the manufacture of underground pipes carrying water, gas and sewage.