Lyondell Celebrates Construction Start of Major Propylene Oxide / Styrene MonomerPlant In The Netherlands
Lyondell Chemical Company today celebrated the official groundbreaking for the world's largest propylene oxide (PO) and styrene monomer (SM) plant to be built in the Maasvlakte region of The Netherlands.
As previously announced, Lyondell and Bayer AG will each have a 50 percent interest in the joint venture facility, which has a planned capacity of 285.000 metric tons (625 million pounds) of PO and 640.000 metric tons (1.4 billion pounds) of SM. Each partner will independently take in-kind its 50 percent share of the PO and SM production.
Lyondell will manage the project and operate the facility using its proprietary technology. Lyondell has more than 30 years of operating experience and technology improvements for the PO process.
"This will be a state-of-the-art facility utilizing the latest technology for emissions control, water treatment, waste management and efficient use of energy and will benefit from integration with the existing Lyondell operations in The Netherlands," said Dan F. Smith, Lyondell's President and Chief Executive Officer. "By partnering with Bayer on this project, we can take advantage of the economies of a world-scale plant and better match each company's growing needs for propylene oxide and styrene monomer."
A large portion of Lyondell's share of PO output will be used to supply feedstock for Lyondell's new butanediol (BDO) plant being build at the Botlek site and scheduled for start-up in the second quarter 2002. Lyondell's 50 percent share of the styrene output will be used to supply its established European merchant position and to support its global network of customers.
As previously announced, ABB Lummus Global has been awarded the facility's engineering, procurement and construction contract. Contracts have been signed for utilities and key raw materials. The project is expected to create jobs for approximately 1.800 to 2.000 construction employees and 200 permanent operating employees. Start-up of the plant is expected in the second quarter 2003.
Currently, Lyondell operates world-scale PO plants in Europe, at Botlek in The Netherlands and Fos-sur-Mer in Southern France and in the United States at Channelview and Bayport, Texas. The Maasvlakte is located near Lyondell's Botlek facility.
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