Sebacic Oman Refinery for the production of sebacic acid has entered the production stage after the successful completion of the preliminary tests during the last three months, said a report.

The refinery is the first industrial project in the heavy industries zone to operate in the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZD), added the Times of Oman report.

Dr Ismail bin Ahmed al Balushi, deputy chief executive officer of the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm, said that the operation of the Sebacic Refinery would prepare Duqm to enter the era of heavy industries and pointed out that Sezad encourages Omani and foreign investors to invest in the heavy industries sector as one of the important economic mainstays.

The refinery is the first of its kind in the Middle East for the production of sebacic acid extracted from castor oil and used in many chemicals, plastics and pharmaceutical industries, as well as a feedstock in the manufacture of disinfectants, paints and perfumes.

This product of high economic value encourages the establishment of other industries.

Sebacic Oman is a joint venture between investors from Oman and India. The cost of the first phase of project is RO24 million ($62.34 million) and the company will implement remaining phases of the project in coming years.