LyondellBasell to close UK polymer plant
15 Sep 2009
Rotterdam, The Netherlands – LyondellBasell Industries is closing its low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant at Carrington, UK., by the end of this year. The company is to focus its LDPE production activities at facilities in Wesseling, Germany and a world-scale plant in Berre, France.
With around 50 employees, the 185 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), the Carrington plant is one of LyondellBasell’s smallest LDPE manufacturing sites. However, a 210 ktpa polypropylene plant located at the Carrington site is not affected by the closure decision.
Given current market environment and future projections, the company has concluded that the LDPE plant is no longer economically viable, according to Tassilo Bader, LyondellBasell senior vice president, Olefins and Polyethylene, Europe and International.
“We are able to meet projected customer demand for LDPE with product supplies from our other LDPE facilities,” said Bader. “Market conditions require economies of scale and low conversion costs,” Bader said. “With more than 300 KT of capacity, our Berre plant represents a dramatic step change in the production of LDPE, with superior investment and operational economics.”
The company said it had begun consultations with trade union and employee representatives regarding the people who will be affected by the closure of the LDPE facility.
