ExxonMobil Chemical acquires Basell's polypropylene plants in Lillebonne (France)
ExxonMobil Chemical and Basell announced today that ExxonMobil Chemical has acquired Basell's polypropylene (PP) and compounding plants in Lillebonne (France).
The acquisition includes Basell's 250,000-ton-per-year PP polymerization facility that produces homopolymers and impact copolymers and its 130,000-ton-per-year compounding plant that produces materials mainly used in applications for the automotive and appliance markets.
The relevant manufacturing, research and development, sales, and marketing personnel associated with the Lillebonne PP and PP compounds businesses will become employees of ExxonMobil Chemical.
"In addition to increasing our European presence in the polypropylene business, this acquisition will also strengthen ExxonMobil Chemical as a global player in both durable and nondurable market segments," said Jim Harris, senior vice president, Polymers, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
In order to resolve competition concerns raised by the European Commission before the Basell merger was approved, Basell is required to divest PP resin plants with a capacity to produce at least 600,000 tons per year and PP compounding plants with a capacity to produce at least 130,000 tons per year. The sale of the Lillebonne plants helps to satisfy the divestment requirements.
?I want to thank the Lillebonne employees for the contributions they have made to Basell and I wish them success in the future,? said Volker Trautz, Basell's president and CEO. ?We are pleased that we have reached this agreement and have moved a step closer to fulfilling the divestment requirements set forth by the European Commission.?
The Lillebonne plants, together with other investments, will increase ExxonMobil Chemical's global PP annual capacity to 2.2 million tons per year. With a 40-year history in the PP business, ExxonMobil Chemical will become one of the few suppliers with production sites in the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Customers are served in automotive, appliance, nonwovens, health care and packaging markets.
BASF and Shell formed Basell in October 2000 as a 50-50 joint venture. Basell is the largest producer of PP in the world and a leading supplier of polyethylene and advanced polyolefin products. As a global leader in the development of state-of-the-art polyolefin processes and related catalysts, Basell is committed to an active programme of research and development of innovative products. The company strives to create polyolefin materials and technology that enhance the quality of life and convenience of people. With customers in more than 120 countries and operations in 26 countries across five continents, Basell is well positioned to serve customers? growing, worldwide needs.
ExxonMobil Chemical and its affiliates are one of the top three petrochemical companies on the globe. ExxonMobil Chemical is a global leader in technology, product quality and customer service with chemical manufacturing and/or marketing operations in more than 150 countries around the world. Additional information regarding ExxonMobil Chemical can be found at
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