Energy firm Ineos said today it is continuing its push for a US Gulf Coast Ethylene Oxide gas plant.
The company will now move forward with opening a facility after the publication of a detailed study via its subsidiary Ineos Oxide.
The facility would process and produce an Ethylene Oxide (EO) and Ethylene Oxide Derivatives (EOD).
With construction planned, Ineos said the plant would be operational by 2020.
Ineos is planning a plant that is initially capable of producing around 270 ktpa (600 million pounds) of EO, with ethoxylate derivative capacity on-site.
The project will also allow third-parties to co-locate on site and consume EO by pipeline, as required with a similar approach to the company’s asset based in Antwerp.
Ineos is considering several sites on the U.S. Gulf Coast and are well advanced in evaluating competing EO technologies.
Frederick Rulander, COO Ineos Oxide North America, said “This exciting project for Ineos is an important part of our expansion plans in the U.S. It allows us to address a fast growing EO merchant market as well as our own requirements. The project builds on our experience in Europe as the largest EO and Ethoxylate producer.”
Confirmation of the investment location and technology partner are to be announced later this year.