US-based Total Petrochemicals opened a new olefin cracker facility earlier this year. With a production capacity of 1.3 million tons of ethylene per year, the new facility will be the largest of its kind in the world. Based in Ras Laffan, Qatar, it will feed the new Qatofin polyethylene plant, which was a joint venture between Total and Qatar Petroleum.

François Cornélis, vice chairman of the executive committee of Total said: ‘Total is further strengthening its partnership with the Qatari energy and petrochemical sector. These major projects are considerably enhancing our position in Petrochemicals, in particular in the growing markets in Asia and the Middle East.’