German-based Uhde, a unit of ThyssenKrupp Technologies, has won a QR2 billion ($550 million) EPC contract from Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) for a new low density polyethylene plant in Mesaieed Industrial City.

The new plant will be integrated into the polyethylene production area inside the Qapco petrochemical complex in Mesaieed, said a report.

The LDPE 3 plant designed for a production capacity of 300,000 metric tonnes per year of low density polyethylene is slated for commissioning in late 2011, the Peninsula reported.

Uhde’s scope of services and supplies covers project management, detail engineering, supply of all equipment and materials and construction work up to ready for feed-in.

Qatar deputy premier and minister of energy and industry Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah and Klaus Schneiders, chairman of Uhde Board and CEO, signed the agreement in the presence of top officials including Dr Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, board member and GM of Qapco.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Attiyah said the LDPE-3 project when completed in December 2011, will be using the excess ethylene produced by Qatofin and Qapco and is designed to produce annually 300,000 mt of low density polyethylene.

“By implementing this new project, Qapco will continue to strengthen and boost its position as a key player in supplying polyethylene to strategic markets in the Middle East and Asia, and the company is constantly striving to further expand its range of petrochemical products,” said Abdullah bin Hamad.

Klaus Schneiders said Uhde has been active in Qatar in the turnkey implementation of fertilizer and petrochemical complexes for more than 15 years.

“Uhde has a long and successful track record in Qatar and once again we have proved to be a reliable partner to the Qatari industry,” he added.