Summary:

On 15 October 2025, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the successful restart of the Ras Lanuf ethylene plant, which had been shut down for eight months since February 2025.  

Operated by the Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company, the facility near Sirte has an annual production capacity of 1.2 million metric tons. 

The restart involved introducing naphtha into the thermal cracking furnaces and bringing the main compressor online. NOC expects production of final ethylene products meeting standard specifications to begin in the coming weeks. Ethylene serves as a key material in the production of plastics and chemicals, including polyethylene and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). 

Outlook: 

The restart of the Ras Lanuf ethylene plant could give Libya’s petrochemical sector a much-needed boost, enabling more local production of plastics and chemical intermediates and reducing the need for imports.  

However, the plant’s long-term operations remain vulnerable to security and political risks, including instability in country, intermittent armed clashes, and disruptions to critical infrastructure. Additionally, political uncertainty or regulatory changes could affect access to feedstock, project financing, and maintenance operations.  

Reliable operations and a consistent feedstock supply could strengthen the local industrial base and support broader economic activity in the region. 

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