Reliance Industries already has two PTA plants engineered by Aker Kvaerner at its Hazira complex and one PTA plant in its Patalganga complex, with a combined capacity of 1,350,000 tonnes per annum (tpa); the new plant will produce a further 640,000 tpa.  The start-up date for the new plant is expected to be June, 2006.

Aker Kvaerner Projects Limited (AK Process) and Kvaerner Powergas India Limited (KPGI), both part of the Aker Kvaerner group, will work together on the project.  AK Process will provide offshore services, whilst KPGI will provide engineering, detailed design and technical support services for the onshore procurement and construction management.  The project will utilise advanced and proven PTA technology from INVISTA (formerly DuPont Textiles & Interiors).

Wim van der Zande, President of AK Process, said "We are delighted to be working on this new facility for Reliance Industries, a key client for AK Process and KPGI.  We have executed around 20 percent of the world's PTA plants and many of these projects have used INVISTA's PTA technology.  Reliance has used this advanced technology in their other PTA facilities and this will be eighteenth PTA project Aker Kvaerner has undertaken using this technology."

"This repeat order from Reliance once again demonstrates the high level of confidence they place in our ability to engineer and build world-class projects to tight schedules.  With our start-of-the-art IT and communications systems, in-depth local knowledge and proven design-engineering skills, we look forward to delivering a successful project." added Dr. Rama Iyer, Chairman and Managing Director of KPGI.

PTA is the preferred raw material for polyester, which was first introduced in 1951.  Today PTA is used globally as a key ingredient in the manufacture of polyester fibres, resins and films.

ENDS

 

Dennis Leong, AK Process  Tel: +44 1489 614330, Fax: +44 1489 614503

Dheerendra Joshi, Kvaerner PowerGas India  Tel: +91 22 569 15547, Fax: +91 22 569 15934

 

AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner span a number of industries, including Oil & Gas production, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately USD 4.5 billion and employs around 21,000 employees in more than 30 countries.

The Aker Kvaerner group consists of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA.

 

AK Process is a trading name of Aker Kvaerner Projects Ltd, the legal entity responsible for the execution of the work.  AK Process is one of the core businesses of the Aker Kvaerner group in Europe.  AK Process serves the chemicals and polymers, refining and onshore oil & gas industries.  It provides the full life cycle of a project from concept studies, through to design, engineering, project management, delivery of process technologies, procurement, construction and maintenance services. As a pure project execution/EPC specialist, AK Process can provide customers with strategic 'one-off' services or full turnkey solutions under a single project management control.

The company works with its customers in the development of major technological innovations, having participated in the conceptualisation and implementation of ideas, which are the foundation for world-class production facilities.

 

Kvaerner Powergas has been operating in India for the past 40 years as an E&C company. Currently it is providing design-engineering services to Aker Kvaerner offices in the UK, USA and the Netherlands for projects in USA, India, Ireland, and the Netherlands. KPGI has state-of-the-art IT and communication links to provide high value engineering to global standards and has offices in Mumbai and Pune. The Company grew nearly 30 times in turnover in the last 15 years under the leadership of Dr Rama Iyer and continues to maintain its position as the leading E&C company in India. KPGI employs approximately 950 people, mostly graduates and postgraduates in engineering science and commerce.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com