Virginia-based specialty chemicals manufacturer Albemarle Corporation has opened a new regional sales office in Dubai to cater for expanding demand for catalysts, polymer additives and other specialty chemicals in the Indian and Middle Eastern markets.

Ahmad Khalifeh, who is currently general manager of Jordan Bromine Company, a joint venture between Albemarle and Arab Potash Company, will head up the new office, whilst Remi Argiro will become sales manager for refinery catalysts in the Middle East and India, and Mohammed Sabri has been named business development manager for polymer additives and fine chemicals.

The company produces a variety of products including flame retardants for textiles, plastics and foams; petrochemical catalysts, including organometallic catalysts for the production of polyolefin plastics and fine chemical synthesis and oxychlorination catalysts for the production of PVC; and polymer curing agents for injection-moulding, spray-coating and other systems.