polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

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polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Opportunity Brief

Egypt is one of the oldest petrochemical producers in the Middle East. Petroleum-based industries in Egypt began in the early 20th century.
Today, Egypt boasts a highly trained technical workforce with extensive experience in research, exploration, and production, as well as transportation
and refining activities.The current shortage of trained technical personnel in the oil and gas industry is one of the factors negatively impacting the
increase in petroleum resources in both producing and consuming countries. Therefore, the presence of these personnel in Egypt represents an additional national asset that enhances research, exploration, and production activities.The basic raw materials for the petrochemical industry are generally available locally, such as propane and methane gases extracted from gas fields. Petrochemical raw materials are the basic materials upon which the plastics and plastic products industry is based Egypt’s strategic location also facilitates exports to global markets, making it the natural maritime partner of the European Union, which is Egypt’s primary trading partner.Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a versatile polymer due to its physical and chemical
properties, such as durability, flexibility in manufacturing, moisture resistance, ease of sterilization,transparency, customizability, and low cost
compared to other materials such as silicone.Polyvinyl chloride has many uses, such as:

  1.  Construction and building field: It is used in water and sewage network pipes, as well as wall and ceiling panels as an alternative to wood and gypsum. It is also used in windows and doors, and also as an insulating cover for electrical cables.
  2. Manufacture of waterproof bags, shoes and clothes.
  3.  Furniture and interior furnishings field: such as waterproof vinyl flooring and furniture upholstery, especially in public places such as train and metro stations and hospitals.
  4. Outdoor advertising hung on the streets, printing and plastic cards such as ID cards and bank cards,
  5. In the field of agriculture, such as greenhouses and drip irrigation pipes,
  6. In the healthcare sector: medical bags for storing blood, intravenous solution bags, oxygen tubes, catheters, dialysis equipment, masks, and medical gloves. It is also used in the manufacture of surgical device components such as tubes used in suction or drainage systems, and in the packaging of some sterilizable surgical instruments.

Exports and imports according to the report of the General Authority for Export and Import Control

Investment Opportunity Drivers Global Perspectives
  • The large and growing demand in the local market is driven by public investments, particularly in the construction and building sectors, new cities, and the “Decent Life” project, which is renovating infrastructure in Egyptian countryside and villages.
  •  Increased demand for Medical Grade PVC in local manufacturing operations,
  • There are significant export opportunities to a number of countries, especially India, China, Germany, Turkey, Italy, the United States, Vietnam, and Mexico.
  • There are two companies in the local market working in the production of PVC polymers, namely the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum, and the Indian company TCI Sanmar.
  • The production capacity of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) is approximately 120,000 tons of PVC annually.
  • While TCI Sinmar Egypt’s production capacity is approximately 200,000 tons of PVC annually, in addition to producing approximately 275,000 tons of caustic soda, the company is working to double its PVC production capacity by establishing a second phase in its factory located in Port Said.
  • The Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company intends to establish the El Alamein Chemicals Complex, which is expected to produce approximately 200,000 tons of PVC annually, among other products.
  • Egypt still imports large quantities of PVC raw materials annually, worth more than $200 million, to meet local needs for public projects and construction.
  • The medical industry is a consumer of medical-grade PVC, particularly in pharmaceutical packaging.
  • Suze Canal Economic zone (SC Zone).
  • Industrial zone in El Alamein city.
PVC polymers:
PVC copolymers: