Westlake starting large diameter PVC pipe plant

05 August 2008 18:13  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--Westlake Chemical is on track toward starting up a large diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe facility in Calvert City, Kentucky, a company official said on Tuesday.

“Depending on market dynamics, we hope to run at full rates as soon as possible,” chief executive Albert Chao said during a conference call with investors.

“The large diameter pipe marketplace is still pretty strong,” he added, while acknowledging that slower municipal construction spending was a concern.

The new plant, which was announced in 2007, will be able to produce 50m lb/year large diameter PVC pipe, which is used in sewage and water projects.

Westlake has seen large diameter pipe demand remain stronger than small diameter pipe, which is mainly used in housing construction, Chao said.

The company plans to open another PVC pipe facility in Arizona during the first half of 2009.

($1 = €0.64)

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By: David Barry
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