Dow will build world-scale POSM plant on US Gulf coast

11 July 2000 00:35  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (CNI)--Dow Chemical said Monday it will build a world-scale propylene oxide and styrene monomer (POSM) plant at an unspecified site on the US Gulf coast with completion scheduled for mid-2004.

Midland, Michigan-based Dow said the facility will be its first to use a co-product POSM process and will be based on POSM technology licensed from Russian chemical firm Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNK).

Dow said its board of directors has authorised an undisclosed amount for construction of the plant.

The facility will have annual capacities of 650 000 tonne of ethylbenzene, 250 000 tonne of propylene oxide, and 575 000 tonne of styrene monomer.

In a statement issued late Monday, Dow said the construction of the POSM plant "is an important part of Dow's overall growth goals and commitment to PO and derivatives." In addition, the company said, "Dow's position as the world's largest consumer and producer of styrene also provides the company with a competitive advantage in managing the large volumes of styrene monomer produced by POSM plants."

Dow business group president Bob Wood said: "The addition of new POSM technology to Dow's manufacturing options is an important step in maintaining Dow's leadership position as a low-cost producer of PO derivatives. The capability to use either chlorohydrin or POSM technology globally provides Dow with the flexibility to practice the most appropriate technology on a site-by-site basis around the world."

The company said that in addition to making use of the new POSM technology, it intends to expand its chlorohydrin propylene oxide capacity as well and "apply the process wherever it is deemed appropriate to meet market demand."

Dow noted that the NKNK POSM technology also will be the basis for a Dow complex planned for later in the decade at Tianjin, China.

By: Joe Kamalick
+1 713 525 2653

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