LyondellBasell to build PO/TBA plant in Channelview

LyondellBasell announced that it is advancing plans to build the world’s largest propylene oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) plant in the Houston area.

The company’s complex located in Channelview, TX, USA, was selected as the site for the PO/TBA unit. The Bayport Choate site near Pasadena was selected for an ethers unit, which will produce oxy-fuels for high octane gasoline. Annual production capacities are anticipated to be 1 billion lbs (~ 454 kt) of propylene oxide and 2 billion lbs (~ 907 kt) of tertiary butyl alcohol. The plant will sell PO in the global marketplace to meet growing demand for polyurethanes, while TBA and its derivatives, which include oxy-fuels, will be sold to meet the need for high octane gasoline blending components as well as for use in manu­facturing synthetic rubber and lubricant additives, says LyondellBasell. The company announced that it will soon begin front-end engineering design work and file environmental permit applications. A final investment decision is expected to be made following completion of the engineering design work. The project is expected to create approximately 100 permanent positions. LyondellBasell is one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and manufactures products at 56 sites in 19 countries.