INEOS announces location of new ethylene oxide plant

INEOS Oxide confirmed that its new 1.2 billion pounds (circa 520,000 ton) ethylene oxide (EO) unit and associated downstream ethylene oxide derivatives (EOD) are to be built at INEOS’ Chocolate Bayou manufacturing works, south of Houston, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

Chocolate Bayou is currently host to two olefins crackers, two polypropylene units, and two cogeneration facilities operated by INEOS O&P USA. A new linear alpha olefins (LAO) unit and associated downstream poly alpha olefins (PAO) unit are also currently under construction at the site by INEOS Oligomers.

The selection of Chocolate Bayou to host the new EO & EOD facility will reinforce on-site integration to the benefit of both the crackers and the derivative assets. The availability of additional land close to the unit will also enable interested third-parties to co-locate and consume EO by pipeline.

Ethylene oxide is used for making many consumer products as well as non-consumer chemicals and intermediates. These products include detergents, thickeners, solvents, plastics, and various organic chemicals such as ethylene glycol, ethanolamines, simple and complex glycols, poly glycol ethers, and other compounds.

INEOS Oxide is part of the INEOS Group, a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and oil products. The group comprises 30 businesses each with a major chemical company heritage. Its network spans 168 sites in 26 countries throughout the world.