The Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (Ethydco) achieved export growth of 5.4%, with dollar sales reaching $211.8m, as the company expands its presence in Latin American, African, European, and Turkish markets, Chairperson Hesham Riad said during the company’s General Assembly.
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi told the assembly that Ethydco’s products represent a “distinguished Egyptian model” capable of competing in international markets. He described the company as an “ambassador” for Egypt’s petroleum and petrochemical sector, reflecting the country’s advanced industrial and technological capabilities. The minister noted that Ethydco has succeeded in achieving high added value for locally produced petroleum materials by manufacturing high-quality polyethylene, contributing to the localisation of the industry.
Production reached 102 per cent of the company’s targets, Riad reported, with output totalling 302,000 tonnes of ethylene and 305,000 tonnes of polyethylene. These products are essential for manufacturing various plastic goods, including water, sewage, and gas pipes. Total sales across both domestic and export markets exceeded EGP 5.7bn.
Riad attributed the performance to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ strategy in securing the company’s requirements of gas and ethane-propane mixtures within an integrated system. He added that the company’s products currently meet the needs of more than 40 industrial complexes within Egypt.
Minister Badawi directed the company to conduct precise studies of global markets to identify specific requirements, particularly in markets that mandate environmental standards and carbon footprint measurements. He emphasised the importance of complying with international standards for emission reductions and environmental protection to ensure global competitiveness.
Furthermore, the minister called for enhanced integration with the Ministry of Industry to identify new products required by the Egyptian market, enabling the company to develop its production capabilities accordingly. He also stressed the necessity of a five-year plan to expand the production of high-value-added products, while leveraging the company’s skilled workforce and integrating with other petroleum and petrochemical firms to exchange expertise.
In response to innovation directives, Ethydco has launched a new polyethylene product for blow moulding applications to support the domestic market and industries such as car oil packaging. The company also developed a specialised polyethylene product for coating steel pipes to provide protection against corrosion and environmental factors. This product has received accreditation from the German company SKZ, expanding its use in national infrastructure projects involving water, gas, and drainage.
Regarding environmental sustainability, Riad stated that Ethydco has become the first company in the petrochemical sector to include Scope 3 in its carbon footprint measurement. It is also the first in the sector to receive international accreditation for its environmental disclosure report for polyethylene products, with similar studies now underway for 10 additional products to enhance its competitiveness in European markets.
