ExxonMobil Chemical has started production on new polyethylene line at its Mont Belvieu plastics plant in Texas.
The firm commenced production of the first of two new 650,000 tons-per-year high-performance polyethylene lines at the plant.
The project is part of the firm’s multi-billion dollar expansion project in the Baytown area and $20bn 'Growing the Gulf' expansion initiative.
The firm’s 'Growing the Gulf' expansion initiative aims to build and expand manufacturing facilities including 11 major chemical, refining, lubricant and liquefied natural gas projects along the Texas and Louisiana coasts, over 10-year period.
Upon completion of the full expansion project, the plant’s polyethylene production capacity is expected to increase by approximately 1.3 million tons per year.
It also brings total production of the plant to more than 2.5 million tons per year, making it one of the largest polyethylene facilities, the company said.
ExxonMobil Chemical president Neil Chapman said: “The expansion of our Mont Belvieu facility further enhances our ability to meet growing global demand for high-performance polyethylene products around the world.
“The investments we’re making through our Growing the Gulf initiative will not only expand our existing manufacturing and export capacity, but will further stimulate local economic growth and create thousands of full-time jobs.”
ExxonMobil plans to export a significant portion of Mont Belvieu polyethylene from the Port of Houston later this month.
