Chemtrade was established in 1979 as a partnership between three Saudi Arabian family owned companies to create a first class chemical distribution and logistics entity. The late 70’s and early 80’s witnessed a phenomenal economic growth in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding GCC countries due to the first oil boom , resulting in an unprecedented development of the region’s infrastructure and manufacturing base.Chemical raw materials and logistics services were needed to fuel this growth and Chemtrade was there to participate in this extraordinary progress. The company was managed by Mobil Saudi Arabia since 1979 and until 2000.

By the mid 80’s , Chemtrade’s business , and the business of its customers , had expanded substantially such that it became necessary to build a bulk liquid chemical terminal in order to facilitate the importation of large volumes of liquid raw material chemicals. The shareholders of Chemtrade , in partnership with Mobil Saudi Arabia ,went on to found Arabian Chemical Terminals Ltd. ( ACT ) , the first medium sized commercial bulk liquid chemical terminal in Saudi Arabia. The facility was built in Yanbu , on the Western coast of Saudi Arabia in 1987 and catapulted Chemtrade to be the premier liquid chemical supplier and distributor to various industries such as the cable, electrical, foam and petrochemical industries.

Between 1998 and 2000 , Exxon and Mobil merged to become ExxonMobil. During this period , the three Saudi partners purchased ExxonMobil’s interest in ACT and took over the management of Chemtrade. Since then , Chemtrade has remained as the supplier of choice for quality products and services to its expanding base of customers. The region has also witnessed a second oil boom , and economic activity has flourished once again.

The chemical and petrochemical industries have emerged as the secondary backbone of the economies of the region , behind crude oil. In response , In 2012 ACT has constructed its second and larger bulk liquid chemical terminal in Jubail Industrial City on the Eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The terminal is fully operated and once again confirm Chemtrade’s and ACT’s leadership position in the chemical distribution and logistics services industry.