Westlake Chemical, producer and supplier of polymers and petrochemicals, has proclaimed its expansion plans, which include capacity expansion of ethane-based ethylene at Lake Charles, Louisiana, and assessment of upgrade and expansion choices of ethylene manufacturing plants at Calvert City, Kentucky.
Westlake Chemical has proposed its expansion plans to capture a share in growing ‘light’ feedstock and economical ethane markets in the North American region. As per the expansion program, the company will expand its two light feedstock ethylene crackers at the Lake Charles facility. The company will begin these expansions as scheduled maintenance turnarounds take place to offer ethylene for the merchant market and current internal derivative units.
Through the expansion of first cracker, the annual capacity of Lake Charles facility will increase nearly 230-240 million pounds and the flexibility of feedstock will also increase. The first cracker expansion is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2012. The company will conclude the second expansion by late 2014.
Westlake Chemical is assessing the transition from propane to ethane feedstock at the Calvert City facility. The ethane feedstock is now abundantly available due to increased gas liquids reserves from shale gas, in the North American region. The company is also assessing the capacity expansion possibilities for the site and has already started the design and engineering works.
According to the Albert Chao, President and CEO of Westlake Chemical, the company’s expansion program is mainly to reduce external procurement of ethylene.
Source: http://www.westlake.com