LYONDELLBASELL
Refinery shutdown pushed to 2025 / Polyolefins giant cites impact on workforce / Houston to become a circular polymer hub
The Houston refinery is to process oil a little longer than expected (Symbol photo: Pexels/Life of pix)


US-based LyondellBasell (LYB, Houston, Texas; www.lyondellbasell.com) has said it will stay in the oil refining business longer than planned by postponing its exit from refining from the final part of this year to the end of Q1 2025.

In making the case for the later departure – and without detailing the rationale for operating the plant for another 18 months – the group said “favourable inspections” and a “consistent performance” have given management the needed confidence to continue “safe and reliable operations” at the site in the Houston Ship Channel.

Related: LYB adopts new strategy

Plasteurope.com’s Polyglobe database (www.polyglobe.net) shows that the refinery has capacity to process 268,000 bbl/d of crude. Along with propylene, the Houston site also produces the aromatics benzene, paraxylene, and orthoxylene.
Easing the transition
One reason for the delay is the impact of the refining phase-out on the workforce, the company said, noting this could be minimised and a smoother transition facilitated while future options for the designated hub for circular polymers such as the group’s Circulen portfolio continue to be developed.

Additional multiple options for the Houston complex, which could include facilities for recycled and renewable-based feedstocks as well as “green” and “blue” hydrogen, are being evaluated, CEO Peter Vanacker said.

Though moderate maintenance spending will be needed during the extended refinery operation, Vanacker stressed that management remains committed to exiting the business.

Plans for ending refining have been on the table since at least 2016, with the company failing to sell the assets. In 2021, former CEO Bob Patel spoke on the subject of divesting the operations, saying the company was “actively gauging market interest with the goal of delivering the greatest value to all our stakeholders”.

05.06.2023 Plasteurope.com [252881-0]
Published on 05.06.2023
LyondellBasell: Raffinerie Houston soll anderthalb Jahre länger laufenGerman version of this article...

© 2001-2024 Plasteurope.com  |  Imprint  |  Privacy  |  Cookie settings

Plasteurope.com is a business information platform for the European plastics industry. It is part of KI Kunststoff Information and PIE Plastics Information Europe, one of the leading content providers for the European plastics industry. We offer daily updated business news and reports, in-depth market analysis, polymer prices and other services for the international plastics industry, including a suppliers guide, career opportunities, a trade name directory and videos.

News | Polymer Prices | Material Databases | Plastics Exchange | Suppliers Guide | Jobs | Register | Advertising

PIE – Plastics Information Europe | KI – Kunststoff Information | KunststoffWeb | Plastics Material Exchange | Polyglobe | K-Profi
© 2001-2024 by Plasteurope.com, Bad Homburg
Date of print: 14.10.2024 23:03:24   (Ref: 667197785)
Text and images are subject to copyright and other laws for protection of intellectual property.
Any duplication or distribution in any media as a whole or in parts requires prior written approval by Plasteurope. URL: http://www.plasteurope.com/news/detail.asp