Louisiana dedicates Lake Charles petrochemical complex

May 10, 2019
Lotte Chemical USA and Westlake Chemical have completed their long-planned $3.1-billion grassroots petrochemical project in southwest Louisiana. The state of Louisiana alongside Lotte and Westlake officials held a dedication ceremony for the completed petrochemical complex—including its more than 1 million-tonne/year ethane cracker and 700,000-tpy monoethylene glycol plant—on May 9.

Lotte Chemical Corp. subsidiary Lotte Chemical USA Corp. and Westlake Chemical Corp., Houston, have completed their long-planned $3.1-billion grassroots petrochemical project in southwest Louisiana (OGJ Online, Apr. 23, 2018; Sept. 6, 2016).

The state of Louisiana alongside Lotte Chemical and Westlake Chemical officials held a dedication ceremony for the completed petrochemical complex—including its more than 1 million-tonne/year ethane cracker and 700,000-tpy monoethylene glycol (MEG) plant—on May 9, the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) said.

Major construction on the Lake Charles petrochemical project began in June 2016 following an announcement of original project partner Axiall Corp.’s merger with Houston-based Westlake Chemical (OGJ Online, June 14, 2016).

During the first 3 years of operation, Westlake Chemical has the option of buying as much as a 50% equity stake in the ethane cracker portion of the complex, which would secure receipt of 50% of the 1 million tpy of ethylene, LED said.

Westlake Chemical plans to use its portion of the ethylene output to make vinyl chloride monomer and other products, such as caustic soda, chlorine, and ethylene dichloride, while Lotte Chemical will make MEG, a key component in the making of paper, textile fibers, latex paints, asphalt, resins, antifreeze, coolants, and adhesives.

Contact Robert Brelsford at [email protected].