LyondellBasell (Rotterdam, the Netherlands; www.lyondellbasell.com) announced the successful startup of a new 20,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) polypropylene (PP) compounding plant in Dalian, China. This is the company’s third facility in China, strategically located to serve the region’s growing automotive market.
“With China’s automobile market poised for significant growth over the next several years this facility allows us to better serve our customers, reduce shipping time and logistics costs while delivering a strong return for our shareholders,” said LyondellBasell CEO Bob Patel. “This plant leverages our global value chain, from polypropylene technology to specialized compounded products, for the benefit of our customers in the region.”
LyondellBasell is the largest producer of PP compounds in the world, with 15 wholly owned facilities, including the Dalian plant, and three joint ventures in 12 countries. Currently in China, LyondellBasell operates PP compounding plants in Suzhou and Guangzhou. The addition of the Dalian plant allows the company’s further expansion into the strategically important North China region, which is home to a number of major automobile manufacturers including BMW, Daimler, GM, Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan and Chery.
“This plant will supply our customers with the innovative products they need to produce more efficient and comfortable vehicles and allow us to maintain our leadership position in the automotive sector,” said Richard Roudeix, LyondellBasell senior vice president, Olefins & Polyolefins, Europe, Asia and International.
Jean Gadbois, LyondellBasell senior vice president, Manufacturing, Europe, Asia and International, added, “Our plants in China use the same process and materials as the plants in other strategic regions to guarantee uniformity of specifications for our global customers.”
In 2015, the company announced the strategic acquisition of SJS Plastiblends Pvt. Ltd and the PP compounding assets of Zylog Plastalloys Pvt., making LyondellBasell the third largest producer of PP compounds in India.