US-based Jacobs Engineering Group said it has won a project management consultancy (PMC) contract from InoChem, a leading manufacturer of soda ash in Saudi Arabia, for its manufacturing complex in Yanbu Industrial City.

With the launch of the second phase of the complex, InoChem will become the first manufacturer of soda ash in the Kingdom and the GCC region, according to a statement from the company.

It will also emeerge as the biggest manufacturer of calcium chloride in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region with an overall capacity of 300,000 TPA of soda ash (light and dense) and 300,000 TPA of calcium chloride grades, it added.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jacobs is providing PMC services during all phases of the project out of multiple locations around the world. The services are being delivered by its global team, led and closely supervised by Jacobs’ Khobar office with specialist support from offices in Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Antwerp.

Abdul Aziz Yahya Al-Muaiyyad, managing director and chief executive officer of IDEA Soda Ash & Calcium Chloride Company (ISACC), said the signing is just another important milestone in the overall development of the project, progressing on time and on track.

“We are delighted to continue working with Jacobs on our manufacturing complex in Yanbu Industrial City where we are building one of the Kingdom’s strategic projects to diversify economy and reduce dependence on oil exports,” he said.

“Not only will the project contribute to industry developments through supplying its products to a number of downstream manufacturing projects, but also will contribute to achieving a Saudization rate of up to 75 per cent of the total workforce.”

Jacobs’ Group vice president Bassim Shebaro said: "We are pleased to receive this new contract. Jacobs has been involved with the InoChem project since commencing work on the concept phase, and we are proud to have been selected to continue our work on one of the most strategic projects in the Kingdom.”

“Our services are being led from our Saudi operations, which further demonstrates our commitment to Saudization through the recruitment, training and development of local Saudi talent and in line with InoChem priorities,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service