German chemicals producer Oxea, a wholly-owned subsidiary of state-owned Oman Oil Company (OOC) has announced investing in a petrochemicals complex close to the upcoming Duqm Refinery project at Oman’s Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Oxea plans to set up a plant manufacturing oxo chemicals, which are used in a range of products of commercial and household use, according to a local media report.

Oxea will also provide the technology and expertise to operate the project, as well as be involved in the marketing of its products, as per the report.

Oxea, which was acquired by OOC in 2013, produces oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives, such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines.

These products are used for the production of high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, flavourings and fragrances, printing inks and plastics.

Oxea operates a network of plants worldwide, with a total production capacity of over 1.3 million tonnes a year of oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives.

OOC is building the Duqm Refinery in a 50:50 joint venture with Kuwait Petroleum International. Its construction is currently underway.

The development comes as OOC itself is going through a process to merge with the downstream-focussed firm Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic).