Aster Chemicals & Energy announced an US$80 million investment to expand ethylene export capacity at its Bukom petrochemical complex in Singapore. This initiative will strengthen regional logistics infrastructure and increase the reliability of petrochemical supplies to Asia.
The company also confirmed the awarding of engineering and construction contracts to Toyo Engineering Corporation and UTOC Engineering Pte Ltd, companies that will participate in the development of new facilities for the ethylene cooling system and the expansion of export operations.
Bukom will strengthen the petrochemical network between Singapore and Indonesia.
The expansion includes the installation of a parallel ethylene cooling system and new outbound logistics capabilities in Bukom. According to Aster, the infrastructure will be operational in 2027 and will allow for a doubling of ethylene export capacity from Singapore.
The project will also increase operational integration between Bukom and Chandra Asri’s cracking plant in Cilegon, Indonesia. The company believes this connection will strengthen the value chain for C2 derivatives within Southeast Asia.
The strategy responds to the sustained growth in demand for ethylene in Asia, especially in sectors linked to petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing and the production of chemical derivatives.
Singapore strengthens its global chemical export capacity
Mashhad Dohadwala, Aster’s Director of Projects and Technology, explained that the decision marks the beginning of the implementation phase to expand the company’s supply reliability and export capacity.
The executive noted that Singapore maintains a strategic role within the global energy and chemical network due to its industrial infrastructure and logistical location.
Toyo Engineering, for its part, emphasized that the contract will allow it to leverage its experience in refining and petrochemical projects developed in Asia. The Japanese company will primarily participate in the modernization of the ethylene cooling unit.
UTOC Engineering will contribute specialized capabilities in industrial construction and the execution of complex projects in Singapore. The company indicated that the development will promote skilled employment and local technical activity related to the energy and petrochemical sectors.
Aster continues to expand its energy and petrochemical platform
Aster is a joint venture led by Chandra Asri with Glencore and operates strategic refining, petrochemical and infrastructure assets in Singapore and Indonesia.
Currently, the group has a refinery with a capacity of over 300,000 barrels per day, in addition to a naphtha cracker of 1.1 million metric tons in Bukom and another of 0.9 million metric tons in Cilegon.
The company also manages downstream chemical assets in Jurong along with energy infrastructure, docks, storage and industrial supply systems that support its regional operations.
Source and photo: Aster.com.sg