Employees, community leaders and elected officials gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LyondellBasell Victoria Plant, recognizing five decades of safe operations, innovation and contributions to the Victoria community.
LyondellBasell Victoria plant celebrates 50 years of operations
The event highlighted the people and milestones that have shaped the site's success since its startup in 1976.
“What has always made the site truly special is its people,” said Dale Friedrichs, LyondellBasell’s EVP of Chief Technology and Safety Officer. “Their tremendous ownership, dedication, and passion have been the foundation of the site's success and will continue to drive its future.”
Friedrichs, who was the site’s plant manager from 2006-11, was joined by several former plant managers at the Thursday event. The group of nearly 80 employees, community members, and elected officials shared memories and reflected on community partnerships throughout the years.
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The Victoria plant has partnered with the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, worked alongside the Victoria Economic Development Corporation, and supported Bloomington and Victoria ISDs, and the Bloomington Fire Department. Employees also volunteer with science programs at local libraries, and after the May 1 tornadoes, the LyondellBasell Victoria team assisted with cleanup and recovery efforts.
During the ceremony, U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud presented the site with a U.S. flag in honor of 50 years of innovation, leadership and dedicated service to the chemical industry.
LyondellBasell Victoria plant celebrates 50 years of operations
The LyondellBasell Victoria Plant produces 600 million pounds of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) each year. HDPE from the site is used to create a variety of vital everyday products, including food packaging, wire and cable coatings, cases and crates, pails, healthcare items, lawn and garden tools, and personal care products.
“For 50 years, generations of dedicated individuals have built a legacy of safety, operational excellence, innovation, and service to the community. We are honored to be stewards of that legacy today, and we are excited to build upon it for future generations,” said Victoria Plant Manager Brian Probert. “Congratulations on 50 remarkable years. And here's to the next 50.”
LyondellBasell Victoria Site Timeline
- 1976: DuPont started the high-density polyethylene unit. At its startup, the plant was capable of producing 200 million pounds of HDPE annually.
- 1987: Cain Chemical acquired the facility and drove optimization efforts that increased production to 290 million pounds annually.
- 1988: Cain became part of Occidental Chemical
- 1990: the site's capacity expanded to 450 million pounds per year.
- 1991: the Victoria facility became the first domestic HDPE producer to achieve ISO 9002 certification
- 1995: Lyondell acquired OxyChem's Alathon business
- 1998: annual production capacity increased to 600 million pounds, with a permit capacity of 650 million pounds.
- 2002: Lyondell acquired full ownership of the business.
- 2004: Lyondell completed the acquisition of Millennium Chemicals.
- 2007: Basell acquired Lyondell, and in 2008 the company became known as LyondellBasell
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LyondellBasell Victoria plant celebrates 50 years of operations
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