Agility breaks ground in Shanghai for new Borouge logistics hub & compound manufacturing unit

These polymers are used in a wide range of applications including extruded pipe, films and packaging, terraforming and fibers, as well as household and white goods.

The 70,000 sq m facility, which will mainly serve the China market, will be completed by 2009 and will be fully operational by May 2010, employing some 120 dedicated Agility staff. The hub will receive the polymer granules in bulk containers directly from the Borouge Middle East gateway situated at Ruwais in Abu Dhabi.

A 30,000 sq m Compound Manufacturing Unit (CMU) will also be built for Borouge on the same site in Shanghai, producing 50,000 tonnes of compounds each year for use in automotive, domestic appliance, power tool and electrical applications. When completed most of this compounded product will be for customers in the Shanghai area.

Borouge is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, and Borealis a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions. Borouge's state-of-the-art petrochemical complex is located at Ruwais, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The ground breaking ceremony was held on the site in Fengxian with close to 100 attendees from Agility, Borouge, local government officials, and other dignitaries in attendance. Essa Al-Saleh, CEO, Agility Global Integrated Logistics and Ahmed Omar Abdulla, Borouge PTE Board Member and Chairman of Borouge Marketing Projects Steering Committee, led the official ground breaking ceremony.

"The world manufacturing footprint of the petrochemicals industry is in major change with production in the Middle East expected to more than double by 2015. This Shanghai platform is an example of how Agility is positioning itself to be a gateway provider both from the Middle East and into Asia and emerging markets," said Philip Browitt, President of the Agility Chemical Specialty business.

Commenting on the development, Wolfgang Hollermann, Agility, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific said, "This is all part of our Asia Pacific strategy to grow and diversify our business to different areas. We are happy to be working with Borouge on such an important project and look forward to success for both sides."

"Demand for polyolefins is growing as production in the automotive industry in Asia and the white goods sector increases and Agility is investing in developing this sector with Borouge in China, one of the world's leading petrochemical producers,"

said James Gagne, Agility, Chief Executive Officer, Greater China.