BP and Oman International Petrochemical Industries Co. (OMPET) have entered into a licensing agreement for BP’s latest generation purified terephthalic acid (PTA) technology, officials announced on Monday.

Using BP's technology, OMPET intends to build a 1.1-million tpy unit at Sohar, Oman, to produce PTA, the primary feedstock for polyesters used in the textile and packaging industry.

“This is the first licence for BP’s PTA technology in the Middle East which is an important and strategic region for BP," said Rita Griffin, chief operating officer for BP Petrochemicals. "This is a testimony to the advantages of BP’s technology and to BP’s extensive experience as a PTA producer."

“BP will provide a wide range of technical and knowledge transfer services as well as a commitment to assist Omani staff within the OMPET joint venture," added Daniel Leonardi, vice president of technology and licensing at BP Petrochemicals. "The front-end engineering design (FEED) package for the licence has been completed and delivered to OMPET on schedule."

OMPET is a joint venture between Oman Oil Co. (50%), LG International Corp. (30%) and Takamul Investment Co (20%). Takamul is 93.7% owned by the Oman Oil Co.

“Our PTA technology has significantly lower capital and operating costs when compared with conventional PTA plants and the technology is more energy efficient, uses less water, and produces less solid waste," said Leonardi.

"We continue to invest heavily in our proprietary technology and this will maintain BP’s PTA technology as the global leader, and as the technology of choice for the future. Innovations in the technology will continue to be developed and implemented and these will be available to our licensees, including OMPET."