ExxonMobil to build 650,000-tonne polyethylene plant in Texas

ExxonMobil is planning to add a new production unit at its Beaumont polyethylene plant that will increase capacity by 65 percent - or approximately 650,000 tonnes per year - to meet growing demand for high performance plastics. 

ExxonMobil is a leader in the manufacture of polyethylene products for packaging applications that deliver light-weight, tough, damage-resistant films. Construction of the new unit has begun at the plant, where current polyethylene production capacity is one million tonnes per year. The new unit is expected to start production in 2019. 

As the US continues to produce abundant supplies of oil and natural gas, ExxonMobil is investing billions of dollars along the US Gulf Coast to help meet growing global energy demand. These investments will not only expand existing refining and chemical capacity, but also stimulate economic growth and create jobs. In fact, ExxonMobil’s investments could create more than 28,000 temporary jobs in construction and more than 1,200 permanent jobs over the next few years and beyond. 

“The availability of vast new supplies of US shale gas and associated liquids for feedstock and energy is a significant advantage that enables expansion to meet strong global demand growth in polyethylene,” said Cindy Shulman, vice president of ExxonMobil’s plastics and resins business.

The Beaumont project builds on supply advantages created by ExxonMobil’s expansion of its Mont Belvieu Plastics Plant in Texas, where two similar polyethylene units are being added. Combined, this multi-billion dollar investment will increase the company’s US polyethylene production by 40 percent, or nearly two million tonnes per year, making Texas the largest polyethylene supply point for ExxonMobil. 

“ExxonMobil is committed to continuing investments in its world-class, integrated facilities. We combine our state-of-the-art production expertise with a first-class technology organisation, which enables us to offer innovative polyethylene products for applications such as flexible food packaging that increases product shelf life and safety,” said Shulman.

The Beaumont expansion project will employ 1,400 construction workers and create 40 permanent jobs upon completion, as well as generate $ 20 billion in economic activity in the first 13 years of operation based on 2015 Impact Data Source estimates.

ExxonMobil’s previously announced investments at Beaumont include expansion of the refinery’s crude refining capacity in 2015 and, earlier this year, construction of a new unit to increase domestic supply of ultra-low sulfur gasoline and diesel.