Saudi Arabia to increase methanol capacity

Saudi methanol producers I bn Sina and Saudi Methanol (Ar Razi) are evaluating capacity additions. Ar Razi has begun work on its fourth methanol unit, which will bring capacity to 3.1 mm tpy in 1999, and is considering a fifth plant. "The fifth plant will happen, " says a senior source at parent Saudi Basic Industries. Sabic will coordinate the companies' expansions to prevent excess capacity, says an I bn Sina source.