Mexico’s Ethylene XXI to produce in February

Braskem Idesa’s Ethylene XXI project in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, is almost ready to begin production. (Source: Braskem)

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Ethylene production at Braskem Idesa’s Ethylene XXI project in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, is expected to start as soon as February, a source familiar with the operation said on Wednesday.

The project will comprise a 1.05m tonne/year ethane cracker, two high density polyethylene (HDPE) units totalling 750,000 tonnes/year, and one low density PE (LDPE) unit of 300,000 tonnes/year.

 The project is in the “final phase of commissioning … the PE plants,” the source said, adding that workers are currently conditioning the ctracker.  

PE production is expected in February or March and the first product would be made available to the market in March, the source added.

The outside battery limit (OSBL) infrastructure system – such as water, steam, electricity, nitrogen or air – is already in place, and the company has had gradual entry of multiple systems each week, the source said.