The commercial operation of Sebacic Oman’s Duqm project, which will produce sebacic acid, will start by the end of this year and pave way for exports in the first quarter of 2018, according to a company official.

The powdery sebacic acid is a monomer used in manufacturing of bio-degradable plastics, food packaging, aerospace polymers and engine oil among other applications, added the Times of Oman report.

The $62 million-facility in the Special Economic Zone of Duqm (Sezad) will export the acid to countries with high demand, such as China, Japan and the US, it said.

Pradeep Nair, chief executive officer of Sebacic Oman, said that presently, the company has the world’s largest sebacic manufacturing plant, which will begin exports early in 2018.

He added that the company has plans for the next 10 years ready. But for this phase, it will only manufacture acid in the facility.

Nair further noted that its next phase is a $250-million project, which will produce its derivatives like nylon.

Sebacic Oman is securing the equipment and raw materials using the Port of Duqm and will be exporting sebacic acid using flexi tanks, added the report.