Westlake Chemical Corporation has announced that it will be converting the feedstock for its ethylene plant in Calvert City, Kentucky from propane to ethane. They will also be increasing ethylene capacity from 450 million pounds per year to 630 million pounds per year.
This expansion and feedstock conversion will enhance Westlake’s vinyl chain integration and leverage low cost ethane being developed in the Marcellus shale area.
This expansion and feedstock conversion will enhance Westlake’s vinyl chain integration and leverage low cost ethane being developed in the Marcellus shale area.
“This is an outstanding step forward for Westlake and a tremendous boost for the economy of Calvert City and the surrounding area,” said Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear in a press release. “Kentucky has built a partnership with Westlake and we’re thrilled to see this multi-million dollar investment in the Commonwealth.”
Westlake also announced an expansion of the existing PVC plant in Calvert City that will add approximately 200 million pounds per year of capacity to the existing 1,100 million pounds of annual capacity. This expansion allows Westlake to take advantage of the increased ethylene production at the site and to provide additional PVC resin for to their global customers.
Both of the projects are expected to begin in 2014 and to create approximately 300 construction jobs.
Both of the projects are expected to begin in 2014 and to create approximately 300 construction jobs.
“These announced projects demonstrate our commitment to our overall integration strategy and to leveraging our access to low cost feedstock. It further confirms the importance of the Calvert City operations and our commitment to building a strong and successful site,” said Westlake Chemical Corporation’s President and CEO, Albert Chao. “We again extend our appreciation to Gov. Beshear and his administration, along with our supplier partners, for their continued support of our future in Kentucky and helping us to remain competitive at the site.”