PT Petrokimia Nusantara Interindo (PT PENI) has announced plans for a major expansion of its BP Chemicals Ltd (Britannic House, 1 Finsbury Circus, GB-London ECM 7BA) gas phase technology polyethylene plant at Merak in Indonesia. Final approval for the project, which will double the plant's original design capacity from 200,000 to 400,000 t/y is expected to be confirmed by the end of January 1995. The expanded capacity is expected on stream by the end of 1996. Since the PT PENI plant's start-up in February 1993, production capacity has already been lifted to 250,000 t/y and the grade range widened by the addition of BP Chemicals chronium catalyst technology. PT PENI President Director Jim Hay said the decision to progress the expansion of production capacity to 400,000 t/y reflected the confidence of the joint venture company's shareholders. The shareholders are BP Chemicals Investments Ltd (51%), Mitsui & Co Ltd (12.5%), Sumitomo Corporation (12.5%), Mr Sigit Harjojudanto (9%) and PT Arseto Petrokimia (15%).