CB&I has been awarded a contract by Carbon Holdings for the license and basic engineering design of an ethylbenzene and styrene plant to be built in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, officials announced on Thursday.

The units will be a part of the Tahrir Petrochemicals complex expansion and will use CB&I's ethylbenzene (EB) and styrene (SM) technologies to produce 400,000 tpy of styrene monomer. 

"Our latest generation EB/SM technologies use advanced catalysts to minimize operating and investment costs while providing exceptional reliability and product quality," said Daniel McCarthy, president of CB&I'stechnology operating group. "This award underlines the confidence Carbon Holdings has in CB&I'stechnology solutions and further expands our position in the North African region."

CB&I previously announced the license and engineering design of a polypropylene unit for this complex.

"This EB/SM plant represents Carbon Holding's ongoing confidence in the Egyptian economy and in the tremendous potential of the downstream petrochemical sector," said Basil El-Baz, CEO of Carbon Holdings.

"The styrene from this plant will be used domestically for the production of synthetic rubber and advanced plastics for Egyptian consumer products, offsetting costly imports," he added. "This is the second derivative plant project with CB&I in the past six months and reflects our comfort and confidence with CB&I's technologies. We are grateful for their continued support and expert guidance."