By Leman Mammadova

Azerikimya, which is part of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), plans to increase production by 35-40 percent in 2019, SOCAR told Trend.

Over 337,000 tons of such products as polyethylene, ethylene, propylene, liquid and heavy pyrolysis resin, butane-butylene fraction and absolute isopropyl alcohol were produced in 2018.

Furthermore, in 2018, products of Azerikimya were exported to countries such as Turkey, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Lithuania.

"Speaking about the possibilities of expanding the geography of supplies in 2019, we must take into account the fact that since September 2018, propylene is no longer exported, but transferred to SOCAR Polymer for the production of polypropylene," SOCAR said.

Moreover, a part of ethylene, starting from January 2019, will also be sent to SOCAR Polymer as a raw material for the production of low-density polyethylene.

"Thus, in 2019, a significant decrease is expected in export volumes of products directly by Azerikimya, because some of the products will serve as raw materials for the new plants of SOCAR Polymer, and they, in turn, will export more valuable products of advanced processing cycle, such as polypropylene and low pressure polyethylene (of high density)," SOCAR said.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is one of the world's 50 largest oil companies. SOCAR's mission is to ensure the energy security of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Established in 1992, SOCAR aimed at manage Azerbaijan's oil resources on the basis of a single state policy, to improve the management structure of the oil industry and to ensure the development of fuel and energy complex.

Three production divisions, one oil refineries and one gas processing plant, a deep water platform fabrication yard, two trusts, one institution, and 23 subdivisions are operating as corporate entities under SOCAR. SOCAR has a significant position in a number of regional and international energy projects.

Currently, SOCAR is the only producer of oil products in the country, and also operates more than 370 filling stations in Switzerland, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine.

It should be noted that SOCAR has recently launched production of nanoparticles. The necessary equipment for the production of nanoparticles was developed in partnership with the Russian company Rostov technologies. The produced nanoparticles will be used to make nanosystems that will help improve the efficiency of drilling, mining and other industrial processes.

SOCAR is also co-owner of the largest Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim and other assets in Turkey.

SOCAR will start construction of a new petrochemical complex in Turkey in 2019.

As of December 2018, BP and SOCAR Turkey (a subsidiary of the SOCAR) signed a heads of agreement (HoA) to evaluate the creation of a joint venture that would build and operate a world-scale petrochemicals complex in Turkey. The facility would produce 1.25 million tons per annum (tpa) of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), 840,000 tpa paraxylene (PX) and 340,000 tpa benzene. BP and SOCAR expect to work towards a potential final investment decision in 2019, which can result in start-up of the new plant in 2023.

So far, SOCAR Turkey has invested over $14 billion in the Turkish economy. Meanwhile, 5,000 people work in the company, while the export potential reaches $3 billion. The company has a controlling stake (51 percent) in the Petkim petrochemical complex on the Aliaga peninsula since 2008 and owns the STAR oil refinery.

Star Oil Refinery that is the first Turkey-specific Industrial Zone opened in October 2018. Refinery will supply Petkim with raw materials. It is expected that Star will launch production of its first products this month.

In addition, SOCAR hopes to complete the purchase of Turkish assets of the German energy giant EWE in the first quarter of 2019.

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