Shell's new world class benzene unit starts up ahead of schedule
04-Dec-2002
Shell Nederland Chemie BV's (SNC) 500,000 tonnes state-of-the-art benzene extraction unit has come on-stream one month ahead of schedule. The unit, which began construction in June 2001, produced on-specification benzene product during late November.
Rein Willems, Shell chemicals Limited Executive Vice President - Procurement and Product Businesses, said: "The 18 month project schedule was ambitious. The fact that the unit has begun manufacturing ahead of schedule is indicative of Shell's strengths in delivering large-scale engineering projects on time.
"As well as consolidating Shell chemicals companies' as top three benzene manufacturers worldwide, the construction and planning of the unit demonstrates our commitment to sustainable development.
"The new plant applies state-of-the-art technology to minimise environmental impact. The world scale unit will also help reduce the movement of benzene-containing streams in Shell's European business."
The unit will take benzene-rich streams from SNC's Moerdijk cracker and other Shell European locations and the output will be used for styrene monomer/propylene oxide production on the same site.
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