Sipchem has ‘solid’ financial position, petchem industry to perform well in 2021: CEO

Speaking to CNBC Arabia, the top official expected the company to post strong financial results in the fourth quarter of 2020, as selling prices started to improve. (Photo courtesy of Sipchem)
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Updated 17 December 2020
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Sipchem has ‘solid’ financial position, petchem industry to perform well in 2021: CEO

  • Speaking to CNBC Arabia, the top official expected the company to post strong financial results in the fourth quarter of 2020
  • According to data available to Argaam, Sipchem signed yesterday a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Linde GMBH

Sahara International Petrochemical Co. (Sipchem) has a solid financial position, as it is set to repay SR1 billion ($266 million) worth of Sukuk next year while maintaining its financial capabilities, said CEO Saleh Bahamdan.

Speaking to CNBC Arabia, the top official expected the company to post strong financial results in the fourth quarter of 2020, as selling prices started to improve.

He also predicts the petrochemical industry to witness strong performance in 2021.

Bahamdan also noted that Sipchem would temporarily suspend operations of two plants due to their weak returns and sales, adding that the plants may be reopened when the market improves. He also stressed that Sipchem is focusing on affiliates that operate in solid markets.

The company announced on Dec. 15 it would mothball its Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) plant, owned by its affiliate, Sipchem Chemical Co., and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Film plant that is owned by affiliate firm, Saudi Specialized Products Co., according to Argaam's available data.

The chairman also said that the partnership agreement inked with Linde GMBH would give Sipchem a fresh impetus and would constitute relatively stable savings for the company.

According to data available to Argaam, Sipchem signed yesterday a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Linde GMBH to set up a 50:50-owned joint venture (JV) to develop industrial gas projects across the Kingdom.

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Closing Bell: Saudi main market closes the week in red at 10,526 

Updated 25 December 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main market closes the week in red at 10,526 

RIYADH: Saudi equities ended Thursday’s session modestly lower, with the Tadawul All Share Index slipping 14.63 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 10,526.09.    

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also declined 3.66 points, or 0.26 percent, to 1,389.66. In contrast, the parallel market outperformed, as Nomu jumped 237.72 points, or 1.02 percent, to close at 23,430.93.  

Market breadth on the main market remained tilted to the downside, with 156 stocks ending lower against 99 gainers.    

Trading activity eased further, with volumes reaching 80.46 million shares and total traded value amounting to SR1.66 billion ($442 million).    

On the movers’ board, Saudi Industrial Export Co. led the gainers, rising 6.6 percent to SR2.10, followed by Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co., which advanced 6.43 percent to SR9.60.    

Raoom Trading Co. climbed 4.36 percent to SR61.05, while Astra Industrial Group gained 4.35 percent to close at SR139. Riyadh Cables Group Co. added 3.77 percent to end the session at SR135.00.    

On the downside, Methanol Chemicals Co. topped the losers’ list, falling 5.96 percent to SR7.41.  

Flynas Co. retreated 5.43 percent to SR61.00, while Leejam Sports Co. dropped 5 percent to close at SR100.80.    

Alramz Real Estate Co. slipped 4.64 percent to SR55.50, and Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. declined 4.55 percent to SR84.00.  

On the announcement front, ACWA Power said it has completed the financial close for the Ras Mohaisen First Water Desalination Co., a reverse osmosis desalination project with a capacity of up to 300,000 cubic meters per day, alongside associated potable water storage facilities totaling 600,000 cubic meters in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province.    

The project was financed through a consortium of local and international banks, with total funding of SR2.07 billion and a tenor of up to 29.5 years, while ACWA Power holds an effective 45 percent equity stake.  

Shares of ACWA Power ended the session at SR185.90, up SR0.2, or 0.11 percent.     

Meanwhile, Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co. announced the sign-off of a customized solutions project with Saudi Aramco Nabors Drilling Co., valued at SR166.0 million excluding VAT.    

The 24-month contract covers the sale and maintenance of field camp facilities, with the financial impact expected to begin from the first quarter of 2026.