ExxonMobil Basestocks has announced the commercial readiness of its EHC™ 50 and EHC™ 120 base stocks, following the on-time completion of the Rotterdam refinery expansion project. The Rotterdam refinery is the first world-scale producer of Group II base stocks in Europe, making ExxonMobil the only Group I and II base stocks producer with significant manufacturing assets in the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific.

“By continuously growing our manufacturing network, we are strengthening our global supply capability, and providing customers with an efficient and robust product offer,” said Nick Berthiaux, vice president, Basestocks & Specialties. “Seeing the first shipment of our EHC™ base stocks gives us all great satisfaction, and reaffirms that our offer is unique, differentiated and valued by the market we serve.”

Startup of EHC™ production at the Rotterdam refinery has begun following the completion of the USD1 billion hydrocracker expansion project in the fourth quarter of 2018. The project also increases production of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and improves the refinery’s energy efficiency by 5%.

Base stocks storage capacity at the Rotterdam refinery was increased with the expansion, helping ensure improved supply reliability. ExxonMobil has also expanded its collaboration with additive companies, thus providing maximum product coverage. As a result of the expanded collaboration, a number of market-general formulations for EHC™ grades are now available from the main additive suppliers.

“Our goal is to provide customers with a reliable Group I and Group II offer alongside the highest standards in customer service and product integrity,” said Ted Walko, Global Basestocks & Specialties marketing manager at ExxonMobil. “The successful completion of this expansion is the result of a lot of hard work and collaboration, and while this signals the end of the project, it is only the beginning for Group II production in Europe.”

Following the September announcement of an additional hub terminal for vessel and truck loading in Valencia, Spain, now fully operational, ExxonMobil Basestocks will continue to expand its Group II supply capabilities with a hub terminal in Hamburg, Germany, scheduled for late summer of 2019.