BP announced today that, following a review of its global polybutenes business, it will
consolidate North American polybutene production at its Whiting, Indiana refining and
petrochemicals complex. Under the consolidation plan, to be completed in the fourth
quarter of this year, the company will cease polybutene production at its Texas City,
Texas refining and petrochemicals complex.
The integration of BP’s global polybutene production assets and a changing global
supply and demand picture has led to the decision to consolidate the manufacturing
assets, according to Chris Clifton, Polybutene Global Business Manager.
“BP’s goal is to have a cost leadership position with the highest operational efficiency
in the industry,” Clifton said. “This consolidation will enable BP’s global polybutenes
business to compete in a very dynamic environment and to ensure that our
worldwide customers’ needs are met now and in the future. We are continuing to
invest in our polybutene facilities to position BP as a leading global supplier, fully able
to respond to changing customer and market demands.”
The Texas City operation produces 116,000 tonnes of polybutene per year. The
Whiting operation produces 109,000 tonnes per year. BP also produces polybutenes
for the European market at its Lavera, France facility, which produces 80,000 tonnes
per year.
Polybutenes are used in the manufacture of dispersants for crank case
lubricants and
detergents for fuel
additives, industrial lubricants,
adhesives and
sealants, cable
filling compounds and a diverse range of other industrial applications. BP’s global
polybutene business operates in more than 50 countries, supported by its regional
sales teams and its main polybutenes research and customer support centre in
Naperville, Illinois.
Approximately 30 employees at Texas City will be affected by the consolidation. The
company is working with union officials to reassign the workers to other operations
within the Texas City complex.