During a working visit to Atyrau region, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC “KazMunayGas” Askhat Khassenov visited the construction site of the Silleno polyethylene plant, which will have an annual capacity of 1.25 million tonnes.
This large-scale project in the manufacturing sector is being implemented as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive to develop the country’s petrochemical cluster.
On March 31, 2025, the first piles were driven for the pyrolysis unit (for ethylene production) at the site located within the “National Industrial Petrochemical Technopark” Special Economic Zone. The EPC contractor for the pyrolysis unit is Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain) in consortium with Sinopec Engineering Incorporation (China). As of today, 5,329 piles (30%) have been installed out of a total of 17,962. Piling works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
An order has also been placed for long-lead equipment (44 units), including two of the largest columns and deaerators to be manufactured at Atyraumunaimash for this unit.
The EPC contractor for the polymerization unit (for polyethylene production) has been identified as Tecnimont S.p.A. (Italy), in consortium with SINOPEC Shanghai Engineering Co. (China). Construction of the polymerization unit is scheduled to begin in October 2025.
A.Khassenov emphasized the strategic importance of the project for the socio-economic development of both the region and the country, underlining the need to increase the share of local content and instructing that all construction works must be completed in accordance with the approved schedule.
Currently, 325 workers are involved in construction. At its peak, the number of workers will exceed 8,000. Once operational, the plant will create approximately 800 permanent jobs.
The project, with an investment volume of over $7 billion is expected to be completed by 2028, with production launch planned for 2029.
Background:
The project is being implemented by Silleno, a joint venture whose shareholders are JSC NC “KazMunayGas” (40%), Sinopec Overseas Investment Holding (30%) and PJSC SIBUR Holding (30%). The plant will produce more than 20 grades of polyethylene, aiming to meet domestic demand in Kazakhstan and export to the CIS countries, Europe, China, and Turkey.
