Major PET producer Indorama Ventures (IVL, Bangkok; www.indoramaventures.com) said it will resume construction of its US-based integrated PTA/PET complex in Corpus Christi, Texas, in August. Work stopped because of disruptions caused by the pandemic. The company said it has now strengthened its management team to prepare for the restart of construction.

The project is being implemented by Corpus Christi Polymers (CCP), a three-way venture between IVL, Alpek’s US subsidiary DAK Americas (Charlotte, North Carolina; www.dakamericas.com) and Taiwan’s APG Polytech USA Holdings, part of Far Eastern New Century (FENC, Taipei; www.fenc.com).

The venture was formed in 2018 to buy the partially built plant previously owned by M&G Resins, which went bankrupt (see Plasteurope.com of 27.03.2018).

The facility, which is expected to begin production in 2025, is to have nominal capacities of 1.1 mn t/y for PET and 1.3 mn t/y for PTA, shared equally between the partners. IVL said the plant is a significant addition to its leading global footprint and ensures long-term competitive-cost supply for its local polyester value chain.

According to IVL, CCP is expected to be the largest vertically integrated PTA/PET production plant in the Americas, and its biggest greenfield project in the US since the development of the AlphaPet facility in Decatur, Alabama, in 2009 when it was owned by BP (London; www.bp.com – see Plasteurope.com of 05.04.2016).

Russell Wilson, the former head of manufacturing Americas for combined PET at IVL, has been appointed CCP’s CEO with effect from 18 July 2022.