BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals on Monday announced the start-up of a 10th furnace at its steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas. The added furnace will expand the facility’s ethylene production capacity to more than 1 million metric tons. BASF TOTAL last year revamped the steam cracker to process ethane.
“These recent investments in the steam cracker allow the plant to produce more than 85% of its ethylene based on cost advantaged feedstocks,” Philippe Doligez, senior vice president for Total Refining & Petrochemicals Americas, said in a press release. “Along with increased capacity, the new furnace reinforces the availability of the plant.”
Wood Mackenzie last week projected that global demand for ethylene would grow by 3.3% annually over the next decade. North American investments in ethylene-producing assets may reach $50 billion over that time period.
