The joint venture between BASF and Total, BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals, has added a 10th furnace to its steam cracker facility located in Port Arthur, Texas.
This new furnace will help to improve feedstock flexibility, enhance plant reliability and increase the annual production capacity of ethylene to over one million metric tons. Other optimization measures have recently taken place at the plant including a revamp of the steam cracker to process ethane. Both the additional furnace and the ethane conversion created approximately 500 jobs.
“The safe and successful startup of the 10th furnace, along with other optimization measures taken at the steam cracker facility, enhances the joint venture’s competitive position within the petrochemicals industry,” said Heidi Alderman, senior vice president for Petrochemicals at BASF Corporation. “This investment is another example of BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals’ strong commitment to its Port Arthur operations.”