Sasol Plans Construction of Ethylene Tetramerization Unit

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Sasol North America Incorporated (NYSE:SSL) (Houston, Texas) plans to construct a new ethylene tetramerization unit at its chemical complex in Westlake, Louisiana. The $175 million unit is said to be the first in the world to commercialize ethylene tetramerization by using Sasol's proprietary technology to convert ethylene into 1-octene and 1-hexene to produce approximately 100,000 metric tons per year.

The monomers are used in the production of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and elastomers. The products will improve elasticity and strength for plastics, which are used in food packaging, bags, toys, automotive interiors and power-cable coatings.

Current plans for the project indicate construction will commence in the latter part of this year. When operational, it will create jobs for approximately 36 workers and 12 contract workers. Completion is slated for 2013.

Sasol chose Louisiana over sites in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East because of its continuing investments and business development projects.

Other significant projects planned in the southern region of the United States this year include plans by Daikin America Incorporated (Orangeburg, New York) to expand production at its location in Decatur, Alabama. This expansion includes a new ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (EFTE) unit that will produce approximately 2,000 tons per year. InSpec International will provide construction management services and a portion of the detailed design studies. Construction is expected to begin sometime in the fall of this year, with completion in the latter part of 2012. Daikin America is said to be one of the largest fluoropolymer suppliers in the world, producing molding resins, fine powders, aqueous dispersions, melt-processable fluoropolymers, and fluoroelastomers for many critical applications.

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