The state-of-the-art, high-capacity Sanvira carbon plant was inaugurated today at the Sohar Free Zone today [November 13].

The plant has a production capacity of 600,000 tons annually of calcined petroleum coke and 24MW of electricity annually through the steam byproduct.

This new plant is an Omani-Indian partnership, represented by Oman National Investments Development Company ‘Tanmia’, United Business company, and India’s Sanvira Industries.

The plant is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman that transforms petroleum coke into a product of high industrial value, which is used in aluminium industries and several other mining industries.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, the Minister of Energy and Minerals.

The project will provide 200 employment opportunities for Omani youth. Omanisation in the plant is planned to be increased to 50 per cent in the coming five years.

The plant is an addition to the petrochemicals and aluminium sectors in Oman by attracting advanced technologies and creating employment opportunities. The GCC demand for calcined petroleum coke currently stands at 1.5mn tons annually.