Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has signed an agreement with Spain’s Cepsa, wholly owned by the local Mubadala Investment Company, to build a linear alkyl benzene (Lab) facility at Ruwais, which will be integrated with Adnoc’s Ruwais Refinery.

Lab, also known as detergent alkylate, is the most commonly used chemical compound used in the manufacturing of biodegradable household and industrial detergents.

The Ruwais facility is expected to have a planned production capacity of 150,000 tonnes and is expected to begin commercial operation in 2021. Exports from the facility will be aimed at the Indian and South Asian markets, according to a released statement from Adnoc. Initial engineering work on the facility is scheduled to begin in 2018.