BASF, Total JV celebrates 10-year anniversary of Texas cracker

06 December 2011 20:47  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--A BASF and Total joint venture celebrated on Tuesday the 10-year anniversary of its naphtha cracker in Port Arthur, Texas.

The cracker's current capacity is 2bn lb/year (907,000 tonnes/year) of ethylene and 1.6bn lb/year of propylene.

The cracker had cost $1bn (€750m) to build, and construction took three years, said the joint venture, called BASF FINA Petrochemicals.

Since operations started 10 years ago, the cracker has produced 34bn lb of chemicals, the joint venture said. The plant now employs about 230 people.

The joint venture also announced a plan to increase the feedstock flexibility of the cracker.

Work should start in April and last 50 days, the joint venture said. When work is completed, the cracker will be able to use lighter feedstock.

($1 = €0.75)

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By: William Lemos
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