Saudi industrial group Tasnee has started selling surplus olefins from its Saudi Ethylene and Polyethlene Company (SEPC) into the domestic market, a company spokesman said.

The plant, which is a joint-venture between Tasnee and Sahara Petrochemical Company, with Dutch firm LyondellBasel holding a 25 per cent stake, is currently running between 80 and 100 per cent, the spokesman said.

'The olefins production is targeted mainly at captive (markets) and the excess is for local demand,' he said.

'While the polyolefins production is targeting local, GCC, Middle East, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia Pacific markets.'

The plant is using ethane and propane as a feedstock, which is being sourced from state oil firm Saudi Aramco.-Reuters