Recently, at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), China Chemical Engineering Seventh Construction Co., Ltd. (referred to as "ChemChina Seventh Construction") officially signed a $1.99 billion engineering general contracting (EPC) contract with Ta'ziz, an emerging chemical platform in the United Arab Emirates, to build a globally leading polyvinyl chloride (PVC) comprehensive production facility in Ruwais Industrial City, UAE. The project is not only a key step for the UAE to promote industrial diversification and become a powerful chemical manufacturing country, but also a milestone for China and the Arab Republic to deepen industrial cooperation under the the Belt and Road framework.

As the first integrated PVC production base in the UAE, the complex is planned to have an annual production capacity of 1.9 million tons, covering key chemical products such as PVC, dichloroethane (EDC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and caustic soda. It is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2028. After completion, the project will become one of the world's top three PVC production centers, significantly enhancing the UAE's global competitiveness in the basic chemical industry and providing important material support for industries such as construction, packaging, and healthcare.

Ta'ziz is a joint venture established by the United Arab Emirates National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi Investment Holding Company (ADQ), dedicated to building a chemical and clean energy manufacturing platform with international influence. According to Ta'ziz, the annual output of the PVC factory can meet the demand for manufacturing 10 million household water pipe systems. It not only serves the domestic market in the United Arab Emirates, but also radiates to surrounding regions such as the Middle East and Africa. It is expected to bring a cumulative economic contribution of about 50 billion US dollars to China and create about 20000 and 6000 job opportunities respectively during the construction and operation phases.

This cooperation fully demonstrates the comprehensive strength and brand influence of Chinese enterprises in the global high-end chemical engineering field. With its leading technology integration and project management capabilities, Sinochem Seventh Construction has successfully won this large-scale project with global strategic significance, setting a new benchmark for Chinese engineering enterprises to further explore the high-end market in the Middle East. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, the Belt and Road latest information

With the implementation of this project, the Ruwais Industrial City is accelerating its transformation from a traditional energy hub to a world-class chemical hub. As an important component of Ta'ziz's first phase production capacity layout, this PVC project will collaborate with projects such as the methanol plant that have been launched in February 2025 to jointly promote the UAE's strategic transformation from a resource-based economy to high value-added manufacturing. Editor/Yang Beihua