LyondellBasell to build new chemical plant on Texas Gulf Coast

Chemical maker LyondellBasell Industries plans to build a chemical plant on the Texas Gulf Coast with the capacity to produce 900 million pounds of propylene oxide and 2 billion pounds of tertiary butyl alcohol each year.

The company already operates several such plants in the Houston area.

LyondellBasell did not disclose how much the plant will cost, and a specific location has not been finalized for the plant, which is slated to be running in 2019.

Describing its new plant as “world-scale”, LyondellBasell said it plans to sell its propylene oxide worldwide to meet a growing demand for building block chemicals used in thousands of products, from antifreeze to cosmetics.

Propylene oxide is primarily used in the manufacturing of bedding, furniture, carpets and car seats. Tertiary butyl alcohol and its derivatives boost octane in gasoline and are used to make synthetic rubber and lubricant additives.