DOHA: Qatofin, a petrochemical venture between Industries Qatar (IQ) and Total of France will be formally inaugurated today at Mesaieed Industrial City making it the largest producer of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) in the Middle East region.

The Qatofin plant with a production capacity of 450,000 metric tonnes of LLDPE a year is now operational, but production will be ramped up to reach full capacity from the first quarter of 2010. Qatofin is a joint venture between Qatar Petrochemical Company (63 percent) — one of IQ’s Group companies, Total Petrochemicals (36 percent) and Qatar Petroleum (1 percent). The plant will also be able to process 422,000 tonnes of ethylene and 38,000 tonnes of butane a year.