Chemical maker LyondellBasell has announced plans to build a high density polyethylene (HDPE) plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The plant will have an annual capacity of 1.1 billion pounds (500,000 metric tons) and will be the first commercial plant to employ LyondellBasell’s new proprietary Hyperzone PE technology. According to LyondellBasell, Hyperzone PE has the capability to produce a wide range of high-performance multi-modal HDPE products. “In certain applications, Hyperzone PE resins allow customers to use less PE resin per unit produced, resulting in improved resource efficiency and savings for customers,” the company said.
The construction of the new plant is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs and as many as 75 permanent positions.
Start-up is planned for 2019.
LyondellBasell has not specified which of its existing U.S. Gulf Coast locations will host the new plant. The company currently makes PE in plants in Victoria and Matagorda, Tex.; and ethylene in plants at Channelview, LaPorte, and Corpus Christi, Tex.
“Innovation is key to our future success. This new proprietary technology will have the capability to produce a wide range of HDPE products with enhanced properties, many of which have the potential to exceed industry benchmarks,” said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell’s CEO.
LyondellBasell currently produces a total of 7.8 billion pounds (3.5 million metric tons) of HDPE annually, including capacity of its joint venture facilities. While the Hyperzone PE plant will be located on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the products produced will serve markets across the globe.
