Shintech, a subsidiary of Shin-Etsu Chemical, has filed a permit application with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to construct a new ethane cracker plant in Plaquemine. This facility, named Plaquemine Ethylene Plant-2 (PEP-2), would have a capacity of 500,000 metric tons per year and would contribute significantly to the expansion of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production in the region.
Shintech plans expansion with new ethane cracker and VCM plant
If the project is approved and the final investment decision (FID) is made, construction would begin in late 2024, with a view to start operations between the fall and winter of 2027. This development aligns with the company’s strategic plans to strengthen its presence in the petrochemical industry. petrochemicals industry global petrochemical industry, especially after delays in similar projects due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to the ethane cracking plant, Shintech has also applied for permits for a new vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) plant, which would follow the same construction schedule as PEP-2. These projects underscore the subsidiary’s intention to consolidate its position as a major player in the global PVC market.
This would be the second announcement of a new Gulf Coast cracker since the pandemic, following ChevronPhillips Chemical and QatarEnergy, who are developing a similar complex in Texas. With these initiatives, competition in ethylene ethylene and PVC production and PVC production in the United States intensifies, marking a period of recovery and expansion for the industry.
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Source: argusmedia
Photo: Shutterstock