World's Largest Methacrylate Producer Studies New MMA Processing Plant in Texas

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Lucite International, Incorporated (Cordova, Tennessee), formally Ineos Acrylics, Limited is currently performing feasibility studies to construct a new MMA (methyl methacrylate) plant next to their existing Nederland, Texas manufacturing site.

The new plant (PEC 01009487) (PLANT 1061333), which will produce approximately 100,000 metric tons per year of MMA, will utilize a two-stage, low-pressure low-temperature process similar to their pilot plant located in Billingham Cleveland, United Kingdom. The first stage consists of using the raw material ethylene in the intermediate process and the final stage being the production of MMA. The estimated investment for this new plant is approximately $150 million.

Once feasibility studies are complete, an engineering, procurement and construction contractor will be selected to begin engineering late next year. Detailed engineering should be completed after a year with construction commencing fourth quarter 2005 with commissioning planned for early 2007.

Lucite International, Incorporated is headquartered in Southampton, United Kingdom and has changed their name from Ineos Acrylics, Limited to Lucite International on May 7, 2002. They are the worlds' leading supplier and producer of methacrylates and manufacture products like MMA's, acrylic resins, acrylic polymers, and acrylic sheets using their signature brand name Lucite.