Oman’s Sohar Free Zone welcomes new calcined petroleum coke plant, Sanvira

The Sohar Free Zone in Oman has gladly accepted the opening of the Sanvira carbon plant with a manufacturing capability of 600,000 tonnes of calcined petroleum coke yearly and 24 megawatts of electricity generated by the steam force.

The plant has been constructed by an Omani-Indian collaboration, where the Oman National Investments Development Company, 'Tanmia', United Business Company and India's Sanvira Industries all worked together at a pre-calculated pace, as was reported by sources.

Sultanate of Oman will receive its first petroleum coke unit that transforms the simple material into carbon cathodes and anodes widely used in the production of primary aluminium. Moreover, petroleum coke has its own definitive applications in the integrated mining and aluminium industry.

Carbon cathodes and anodes are crucial in forming primary aluminium from alumina, as the Halt- Héroult process extensively uses them during smelting and electrolysis.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was arranged under the wise jurisdiction of the Minister of Energy and Minerals – Oman, Salim Nasser Al Aufi, who was appointed in June this year.

The Sanvira carbon plant will yield over 200 open job opportunities in the region, heavily inspiring the Omani youth force. The plant will witness 50 per cent heightened Omanisation in the upcoming five years, creating more avenues for Omani citizens.

The plant will be a prominent addition to Oman's aluminium and petrochemical industry by harbouring advanced technologies and new employment schemes.

The Gulf Corporation Council has seen increased demand for calcined petroleum coke, with the need resting at 1.5 million tonnes yearly.