The joint venture will license Huntsman's proprietary ethyleneamines production technology and Huntsman will have exclusive sales, marketing and technical service rights for the plant's output.

    Peter R. Huntsman, President and CEO of Huntsman Corporation, said: "We are delighted to be cooperating with the Zamil Group on this critical component of Huntsman's growth strategy for our global amines business." He added: "This new capacity makes Huntsman the largest global supplier of ethyleneamines and a global leader in amine chemistry. We are committed to continuing our focus on the Middle East and supporting our international markets."

    Mr Fahad Al-Zamil, President of Zamil Group Holding Company/Jubail Operations said: "We are extremely pleased to be cooperating again with Huntsman and this new investment is confirmation of our successful strategy of continuing to invest in high value-added products." He added: "The Jubail site is ideal for chemical investments and indeed there is ample scope for further expanding this new ethyleneamines plant with a second train, should this be justified by market conditions."

    The new ethyleneamines plant will produce ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and higher molecular weight versions such as TEPA, E-100, AEP and piperazine. The products serve as specialty intermediates for a variety of end uses including epoxy curing agents, lube-oil additives for gasoline and diesel engines, fungicides, wet strength resins and bleach activators.

    Last December the two companies also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the construction of a new morpholine and Diglycolamine?Agent amines plant again in Jubail and also based on proprietary Huntsman technology. Further, Huntsman's Performance Products division licenses it maleic anhydride technology to International Diol Corporation, a Saudi company with operations in Jubail and in which Zamil Group and Huntsman are shareholders (with others including Sipchem).

    About Huntsman:

    Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman today has 12,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2009 revenues of approximately $8 billion.

    About Zamil Group:

    Zamil Group is a global investment company with diverse interests and capabilities. Across the continents it provides innovative, high quality and price competitive products and services as well as investment opportunities for investors, partners and stakeholders in the industrial, petrochemicals and services sectors. The wide range of products and services spans air-conditioning manufacturing to architectural glass processing, plastics to steel fabrication and paints and cranes to heavy process equipment. The company is also engaged in shipbuilding and repair, port operations and maintenance, petrochemicals and chemicals, industrial investment and general construction. The energy driving the company's more than 60 sector businesses is the 12,000-strong workforce in more than 60 countries, vast manufacturing facilities and strong affiliations with numerous international partners.