Shell Nederland to build benzene unit

June 27, 2001
Shell Nederland Chemie BV will invest more than $25 million in a benzene extraction unit at its petrochemical facility at Moerdijk, the Netherlands, said Shell Chemicals Ltd.


By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, June 27 -- Shell Nederland Chemie BV will invest more than $25 million in a benzene extraction unit at its petrochemical facility at Moerdijk, the Netherlands, said Shell Chemicals Ltd.

The 500,000 tonnes/year unit will come on stream at the end of 2002, subject to permit approval.

The unit will be based on Krupp Uhde's proprietary extractive distillation technology.

The Moerdijk cracker and other Shell sites will provide feedstock for the new unit, and the benzene product will be consumed by the local ethylbenzene unit.

Evert Henkes, Shell Chemicals Ltd. CEO, said, "The net effect of the unit will be a significant reduction in the number of shipping movements in and out of Moerdijk."