Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, discussed with a delegation from DrasChem Specialized Chemicals, led by CEO Mohamed Abdel Aziz, the company’s plans to establish and operate the first sodium cyanide and derivatives production plant in Egypt and the Middle East.
The project is expected to support the government’s strategy to deepen local manufacturing and expand advanced industrial sectors.
During the meeting on Saturday, the delegation reviewed details of the project’s first phase, which will be built on an area of 80,000 square metres within the Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals complex, with total investments worth $200 million. The facility is expected to produce between 50,000 and 55,000 tonnes annually using advanced industrial technology.
Hashem described the project as a pioneering step for Egypt in advanced chemical industries across the Middle East and Africa, reflecting the state’s efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and open new opportunities for specialised exports.
He stressed that the project could serve as a strategic platform for transferring global expertise to the Egyptian market and a strong driver for innovation and sustainable production.
The minister also underscored the importance of adhering to the highest environmental and technological safety standards to ensure the project meets international requirements.
For his part, Abdel Aziz said the facility would be the first of its kind in Egypt, Africa, and the Middle East, noting that sodium cyanide is a key industrial input used in gold and silver mining as well as pharmaceutical, agricultural, and pesticide industries.
He added that the project will be implemented in partnership with international petrochemical and technology firms.
