LyondellBasell began construction on a $700 million dollar plant in La Porte.
The new plant is expected to come online in 2019 and will produce a more durable and environmentally friendly variety of polyethylene.
Exxon Mobil, Chevron Phillips Chemical and Dow Chemical are also building plants in the Houston area.
Texas’ shale natural gas access spurred the new plants and plant expansions. The cheap gas contains ethane, the chief use of which is to produce ethylene.
LyondellBasell is touting their improved polyethylene as a step above the standard, common plastic. Uses include piping, fuel tanks, packaging for household cleaning agents, packaging for agricultural fertilizers, and food and drink packaging. The company argues that the more durable version is more environmentally friendly as consumers and companies need to use less of it compared to the standard polyethylene.
The new La Porte plant will employ 75 people upon its completion.
Source: Houston Chronicle, “LyondellBasell plant in La Porte will help reshape plastic-making,” by Jordan Blum, May 15, 2017.