Processing news briefs, May 31

May 31, 2000
Peco Energy Co. selects Air Products & Chemicals Inc. for industrial gas supply; Borealis AS starts up Austrian polyolefin plastic plant.


Denmark's Borealis AS's first Borstar polypropylene plant, at Schwechat, Austria, has successfully started operations. The 140 million euro project was executed on schedule, within budget, and with an excellent safety performance record, Borealis says. The plant has a capacity to produce 200,000 tonnes/year. Two old slurry polypropylene lines with a combined capacity of 130,000 tonnes/will be closed at the site, resulting in a net capacity increase at Schwechat of 70,000 tonnes/year to 340,000 tonnes/year. The Borstar plant is the first based on Borealis' proprietary Borstar polypropylene technology.

Under a long-term agreement, Air Products & Chemicals Inc., Lehigh Valley, Pa., will provide onsite management and supply of industrial gases and related equipment�including bulk and cylinder gases, specialty gases, calibration standards, EPA protocol gases, and gas handling equipment�to 89 of Peco Energy Co.'s facilities. Under the multiyear agreement, Air Products has guaranteed Peco Energy a reduction of at least 10% in both direct and indirect costs. The agreement also calls for Air Products to supply PECO Energy's newly acquired facilities nationwide. Peco is a Philadelphia-based generator and distributor of electric power.