Steam cracker is 'industry first'
20 Nov 2013
A feedstock steam cracker in Singapore is said to be the first industry facility capable of converting crude oil directly into chemicals.
ExxonMobil Chemical president Steve Pryor said the company’s refining and petrochemical complex in Singapore is capable of cracking crude oil feedstock directly into chemicals, rather than using naphtha feedstock – the industry standard in Asia.
In this ever changing environment, we must continuously innovate across the value chain
ExxonMobil Chemical president Steve Pryor
The advantages of using a steam cracker to convert feedstock such as crude oil rather than naphtha include a reduction in emissions from the refining processes required to produce naphtha, and an overall cut in energy costs, the company said.
Pryor also said that ExxonMobil’s strategy to develop new technologies that “raise the bar” on feedstock flexibility makes the process more beneficial to industry.
“For chemical companies to maintain a competitive advantage in this ever-changing environment, we must continuously innovate across the value chain — from our raw materials to our finished products.”
