INEOS announces a 50% expansion of its High Viscosity (HV) PAO unit, in LaPorte, Texas, expected to be fully effective by mid-2025.
- The increased capacity of the HV PAO plant will meet the significant demand for wind turbines and other industrial applications.
INEOS Oligomers has today announced a phased 50% expansion of its LaPorte, Texas, High Viscosity (HV) PAO unit, fully effective by mid-2025.
The unit was initially built with a nameplate capacity of 20,000 Tonnes per annum but was engineered to allow efficient expansion to support anticipated sales growth. It was debottlenecked a first time last year to reach 25 kTpa and will expand again to almost 40 ktpa.
The unit’s production is based on a metallocene High Viscosity PAO technology.
In comparison to conventional materials, these decene-based metallocene products have a number of superior attributes such as: higher viscosity indices, lower pour points, higher shear stability and lower Brookfield viscosities.
The increased capacity of the HV PAO plant will meet the significant demand for wind turbines and other industrial applications.
Peter Steylaerts, Business Director INEOS Oligomers said. “To date, the business has been a great success story for us, given the strong demand for wind turbines and other industrial applications. Customers like the options our products give them in the development of advanced new lubricant formulations.”
This is the second significant announcement from INEOS Oligomers, which recently started up its new 120,000 tonne per annum Low Viscosity Polyalphaolefin (LV PAO) unit at Chocolate Bayou, TX. The facility is the world’s largest single PAO train. It positions INEOS Oligomers as the world’s largest merchant supplier of LV PAO with an unprecedented production footprint in LV PAO. Facilities operated across 3 distinct locations, provide stronger security of supply to the global lubricants industry.
Joe Walton. CEO INEOS Oligomers said, “Our world-scale capacity expansions in both LV and HV PAO, together with their corresponding LAO feedstock, underscore our market leadership. We have secured the growth aspirations of our customers for many years to come. These investments are a component of the ongoing INEOS Oligomers’ “organic” growth strategy that will ultimately double the size of our business.”
ENDS
Media Contacts
Richard Longden (Richard.longden@ineos.com) 0041 21 627 7063 or 0041 7996 26123
Andrew McLachlan (andrew@mediazoo.tv) 07931 377162
Alex Williams (alex.williams@mediazoo.tv) 07793 207325
About INEOS: INEOS is a global manufacturing company making the raw materials and energy used for everyday life. Its products make an indispensable contribution to society by providing the most sustainable options for a wide range of societal needs. For example, preservation of food and clean water; construction of wind turbines, solar panels and other renewable technologies; for construction of lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles and aircraft; for medical devices and applications; for clothing and apparel; and for insulation and other industrial and home applications.
INEOS businesses have put in place the plans and actions needed to ensure that they lead the transition to a net zero economy by no later than 2050, whilst remaining profitable, and staying ahead of evolving regulations and legislation. As part of its greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy, there is widespread goal to move to a more circular economy, in which materials are re-used to their maximum extent.