ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Arabian Industrial Fibres company (Ibn Rushd), an affiliate of SABIC, has selected LyondellBasell Industries Spheripol process technology for a new 525 KT per year polypropylene plant in Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Startup of this largest single Spheripol line ever licensed is expected in 2012.

"Ibn Rushd is a world-scale enterprise targeting superior economics and a broad and leading product portfolio, and Spheripol PP technology clearly emerged as the most suitable technology choice," said Khalil Ibn Salamah, Licensing Manager of SABIC.

He added, "Our selection of LyondellBasell's PP technology platform is a good basis for pursuing future projects of the SABIC group in polypropylene."

"SABIC's selection of LyondellBasell's PP technology highlights our long time leadership in polypropylene technology," said Just Jansz, President of LyondellBasell's Technology Business. "We are very pleased to build on our solid relationship with SABIC, enabling SABIC to achieve their Polypropylene growth ambitions, and further demonstrating the performance of our Spheripol and Spherizone process technologies in meeting future needs."

In addition to Spheripol, LyondellBasell's portfolio of licensed polyolefin technologies and associated technical services is comprised of:

-- Spherizone - latest generation polypropylene technology based on new multi-zone reactor for the production of polypropylene and novel polyolefins.

-- Spherilene - advanced swing-gas-phase process for the production of LLDPE, MDPE and HDPE

-- Hostalen - leading low-pressure slurry process for the production of bimodal HDPE

-- Lupotech T - leading high-pressure tubular reactor process for the production of LDPE and EVA copolymers

-- Metocene PP - technology for the production of specialty polypropylene products using single-site catalyst systems

LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world's largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world. Headquartered in The Netherlands, LyondellBasell (http://www.lyondellbasell.com/) is privately owned by Access Industries.

SOURCE: LyondellBasell Industries

CONTACT: Media, Waldemar Oldenburger of LyondellBasell Industries,
+49 69 305 854 59, waldemar.oldenburger@lyondellbasell.com

Web site: http://www.lyondellbasell.com/