Yesterday, Westlake Chemical announced new expansion plans that will increase production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) at three of its chemical facilities.
Two of the plants are located in Germany (Burghausen, Gendorf) and one is located in Geismar, Louisiana.
The expansions in Burghausen and Geismar are expected to be completed in 2019. The Gendorf expansions are expected to be completed in 2020 and 2021.
Based in Houston, TX, Westlake manufactures and supplies petrochemicals, polymers and building products. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, chlor-alkali and derivative products, PVC suspension and specialty resins, PVC Compounds, and PVC building products including siding, pipe, fittings and specialty components, windows, fence, deck and film.
The expansion projects are expected to add approximately 750 million pounds annually of additional PVC and approximately 200 million pounds annually of additional VCM to the company’s production.
Specialty PVC will be expanded at Burghausen and suspension PVC will be expanded at Geismar. VCM production will be expanded at Geismar and Gendorf.
In addition, chlor-alkali production will be expanded at the Gendorf facility, adding approximately 55 million pounds annually of chlorine capacity and the associated 60 million pounds annually of membrane caustic soda capacity.