Petroleum Minister: ETHYDCO Products Represent an Egyptian Model Capable of Competing Globally
Sun, 08-Mar-2026
Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, affirmed
that the products of the Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (ETHYDCO) represent
a distinguished Egyptian model capable of competing in global markets. He noted
that the company’s products play an important role as an ambassador for Egypt’s
petroleum and petrochemicals sector abroad, reflecting the sector’s advanced
industrial and technological capabilities.
This came during the General Assembly meeting of the Egyptian Ethylene and
Derivatives Company (ETHYDCO) to approve the company’s results for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2025, in the presence of leaders from the petroleum
sector. During the meeting, Chemist Hesham Riyad, Chairman and Managing
Director of the company, reviewed the key performance indicators and business
results achieved by the company during 2025, in light of the six pillars of the
Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ strategy.
The Minister pointed out that ETHYDCO has succeeded in achieving high added
value from locally produced petroleum materials through the production of
high-quality polyethylene products. This has contributed to localizing this
important industry in Egypt. He also directed the preparation of a
comprehensive study of global markets to identify the specific nature and
requirements of each market, with a focus on markets that require the
application of environmental standards and the measurement of product carbon
footprints, in order to enhance the competitiveness of the company’s products
globally. He also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the
Ministry of Industry to identify the most important new products required by
the Egyptian market.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of preparing a five-year plan
to expand the production of high value-added products, while benefiting from
the distinguished human resources within the company and enhancing integration
with companies across the petroleum and petrochemicals sector to exchange
expertise and experiences.
Chemist Hesham Riyad, Chairman and Managing Director, added that since its
inception ETHYDCO has been keen to operate according to an integrated national
vision aligned with the directions of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral
Resources. With the continuous support of the Ministry and the Egyptian
Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), the company has succeeded in
establishing its position as a leading company in the petrochemicals industry,
effectively contributing to supporting the national economy, meeting the needs
of the local market, and reducing reliance on imports, thereby supporting the
balance of payments and enhancing the sustainability of economic growth.
The Chairman explained that the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’
vision to secure the company’s feedstock requirements of gas and the
ethane-propane mix within an integrated system contributed to ensuring stable
operations and enabled the company to achieve 102% of its production plan
during 2025. Production reached 302 thousand tons of ethylene and 305 thousand
tons of polyethylene, which is used in the manufacture of many plastic products
such as water, sewage, and gas pipes, among others.
He added that the value of sales in the local market and exports exceeded
EGP 5.7 billion, in addition to dollar-denominated sales reaching USD 211.8
million. Export sales also achieved growth of 5.4%, driven by expansion in
Latin American markets, particularly Brazil, in addition to markets in Africa,
Europe, and Turkey. He noted that the company’s products meet the needs of more
than 40 industrial complexes across Egypt.
He further explained that the Minister’s directives to focus on innovation
and technology were translated into practical steps through the introduction of
a new polyethylene product for blow-molding applications to support the local
market and serve various industries, including automotive oil containers. The
company also developed a new polyethylene product for coating steel pipes,
providing additional protection against corrosion and environmental factors
while improving pipe efficiency and extending operational lifespan. This
product has received certification from the German SKZ institute, expanding its
use in water, gas, sewage, infrastructure projects, and national development
projects.
The Chairman also highlighted ETHYDCO’s continued commitment to
environmental sustainability and green production requirements, which enhance
its competitiveness in global markets. The company has become the first in the
petrochemicals sector to include Scope 3 emissions within its carbon footprint
measurement. It has also obtained international certification for the
environmental disclosure report of polyethylene products, while similar studies
are underway for other products.
The company is also continuing to implement a number of
sustainability-supporting projects, including the establishment of a
500-kilowatt solar power station to supply electricity to administrative
buildings, contributing to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately
330 tons annually.
In the field of human resources development, he explained that the company
places great importance on investing in human capital as one of its most
valuable assets. During 2025, the company implemented 719 training
opportunities, in addition to applying a performance management system and a
competency management system in line with the latest international practices.
He also pointed to a number of international achievements by the company’s
personnel, including the participation of a team from ETHYDCO within the
Ministry of Petroleum’s team that won the BRICS Award for a project aimed at
developing biogas units using artificial intelligence technologies. The company
also won the award for Best Presentation in Polyethylene Operations at the GTEC
2025 Conference in the United States.
Within the framework of the transition toward a circular economy, ETHYDCO is
expanding its efforts to recycle polyethylene waste and maximize its added
value. The company is also incorporating a percentage of recycled plastics into
the packaging materials used for its products in line with global market
requirements.
The company continues to implement its role in corporate social
responsibility, having implemented more than 155 projects and initiatives since
the start of operations in the fields of education, healthcare, economic
empowerment, and environmental protection. These include the development of
several schools and healthcare facilities in Alexandria Governorate, in
addition to training students from Egyptian universities in various technical
and administrative disciplines.
Photo Gallery