Westlake Chemical to expand chlor-alkali, PVC, VCM capacities
Westlake Chemical Corp. will expand capacities for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) at three of its chemical facilities. Two of the plants are located in Germany (Burghausen and Gendorf), and one is located in Geismar, Louisiana. The expansions in Burghausen and Geismar are expected to be completed in 2019. The Gendorf expansions are expected to be completed in 2020 and 2021.
The expansion projects are expected to add approximately 750 million pounds annually of additional PVC and approximately 200 million pounds annually of additional VCM to the company's production. Specialty PVC will be expanded at Burghausen, and suspension PVC will be expanded at Geismar. VCM production will be expanded at Geismar and Gendorf. In addition, chlor-alkali production will be expanded at the Gendorf facility, adding approximately 55 million pounds annually of chlorine capacity and the associated 60 million pounds annually of membrane caustic soda capacity.
For more information, visit www. westlake.com or call (713) 960-9111.
ExxonMobil commissions ethane cracker in Baytown, Texas
ExxonMobil's new 1.5-million- ton-per-year ethane cracker at its Baytown, Texas, complex is mechanically complete with commissioning progressing well. Project start-up is expected during the second quarter of 2018.
The new ethane cracker, part of ExxonMobil's multibillion-dollar Baytown chemical expansion project, will provide ethylene feedstock to the new performance polyethylene lines in Mont Belvieu, Texas, which began production in the fall of 2017.
The project has created more than 10,000 construction jobs and 4,000 related jobs in nearby Houston communities since construction began in 2014. Once operational, it is expected to support 350 new permanent positions at the Baytown complex, $870 million a year in regional economic activity and $90 million per year in local tax revenues.
For more information, visit www. exxonmobil.com or call (972) 940-6000.
Lubrizol expands global capabilities, TPU capacity
The Lubrizol Corp. is updating its global expansion program supporting the company's Engineered Polymers thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU) business and growing global demand for its Estane® TPU, Pearlthane⢠TPU, Pearlbond⢠TPU and other product lines.
In North America, the company is adding new state-of-the-art production capabilities, expanded raw material storage, warehouse space and improved site logistics. With the latest investment, new capacity is expected to come onstream later this year.
In Songjiang, China, the company has inaugurated a new compounding line and new extrusion lines. Further investment is planned in Asia in 2019.
In Europe, the company is extending production capabilities for elastomers, aliphatics and adhesives. A next major European expansion is planned for 2019.
For more information, visit www. lubrizol.com or call (216) 447-5000.
Total, Borealis, NOVA Chemicals to form petrochemicals joint venture
Affiliates of Total S.A., Borealis AG and NOVA Chemicals Corp. have signed definitive agreements to form a joint venture in petrochemicals on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The joint venture -- in which Total will own 50 percent and Novealis Holdings LLC, a joint venture between Borealis and NOVA Chemicals, will own the remaining 50 percent -- will include:
- The under-construction ethane steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas.
- Total's existing polyethylene facility in Bayport, Texas.
- A new Borstar® polyethylene unit at Total's Bayport site.
As announced in March 2017, the new $1.7 billion ethane steam cracker is being built alongside Total's Port Arthur refinery and Total/BASF existing steam cracker. The project, scheduled to start up in 2020, will create around 1,500 jobs during peak engineering and construction activity.
For more information, visit www. novachem.com, www.total.com or www.borealisgroup.com.