Petrochemicals in Libya

Libya has a total of eight petrochemical manufacturing facilities. The petrochemicals industry in Libya expanded in the 1980s, but later experienced halting progress as expansions planned at the two biggest complexes, Ras Lanuf and Brega, stalled as a result of financial constraints, a slump in the global petrochemical business in the 1990s, and a volatile political climate. Libya's petrochemical sector received a boost in the late 2000s from European, US and Gulf investment. An agreement in 2009 between the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) and Norwegian fertiliser producer Yara was made to upgrade facilities at Brega, while a venture including Dow Chemicals of the US to upgrade the Ras Lanuf petrochemical facilities was put on hold in 2008.

The petrochemical plant at Ras Lanuf, located on the Mediterranean Coast and operated by the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC), is Libya's biggest. It came onstream in 1987.

The petrochemical plant at Marsa al-Brega came on stream in 1978 and produces primarily methanol and fertilisers.

The Abu Kammash petrochemical complex came on stream in the 1970s and a large portion of its output is exported.

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