TA’ZIZ, the integrated downstream industrial platform being developed in Abu Dhabi, has announced a significant strategic partnership with Alpha Dhabi Holding PJSC. This collaboration is set to bolster the expanded production of chemicals at TA’ZIZ’s industrial complex located in the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone at Ruwais Industrial City, Al Dhafra region.
This strategic collaboration, valued at approximately $10 billion in capital investment, is poised to enable the Ruwais chemical production of 14 new industrial chemicals. Upon final investment decisions and regulatory approvals, this initiative could lead to an additional chemical capacity of about 2.2 million tonnes per year within the TA’ZIZ industrial chemicals ecosystem. The expansion aligns with the UAE’s broader industrial strategy and the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ (MIITE) initiative, aiming to enhance domestic manufacturing and achieve greater self-sufficiency in vital chemical products.
The intended new production lines are designed for close integration within the TA’ZIZ and broader ADNOC ecosystems, leveraging synergies in feedstock sourcing, utilities, infrastructure, and facility integration. These industrial chemicals serve a wide array of sectors, including construction, automotive, packaging, consumer goods, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. The objective is to enhance the overall competitiveness and capital efficiency of the TA’ZIZ platform by strengthening local supply chain resilience and substituting key imported products.
The new chemicals to be produced will include styrene, polystyrenes, acrylic acid and its derivatives, polyols, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), epoxy resins, and linear alpha-olefins. These additions will build upon TA’ZIZ’s Phase 1 plans, which already project a chemical production capacity of 4.7 million tonnes per year of marketable products, with a scheduled startup by the end of 2028.
The partnership’s joint-feasibility and market study for the proposed chemical expansion are a direct support to the UAE’s vision for industrial growth. Hamad Al Ameri, Alpha Dhabi Holding’s managing director and chief executive officer, highlighted that this expansion not only strengthens domestic manufacturing but also has the potential to unlock significant export opportunities. This agreement follows closely on the heels of TA’ZIZ securing substantial commercial agreements totaling $28.5 billion across its chemicals portfolio, ensuring long-term offtake, feedstock supply, and product sales to support the ongoing development of its Ruwais industrial platform. The Ruwais chemical production expansion underscores a commitment to advancing local manufacturing capabilities.
