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GLADBECK, Germany, and MOBILE, AL, USA, November 1, 2005. With another expansion of its phenol and acetone plant in Mobile, Alabama, INEOS Phenol strengthens its world leading position in these markets. The current expansion from a most recent name plate capacity of 500 kt/a phenol to a current 540 kt/a has been realized over the past several months and is already fully operational at this time. Simultaneously, a capacity of now 330 kt/a acetone has been achieved in this one-train facility.

INEOS Phenol leads the industry with plants that achieve the highest economies of scale. The expansion of the Antwerp, Belgium, plant is on track to be operational towards the end of Q3/2006. The expected overall capacity of 680 kt/a phenol will be achieved by expanding one of the two trains there rather than by adding a third one. This approach provides the opportunity for another similar expansion of more than
200 kt/a in the future without adding complexity to the plant.

In addition to increasing phenol and acetone capacity, INEOS Phenol actively secures its feedstock by backward integrating into cumene. The most recent acquisition of the idled cumene plant from CPChem is a case in point. The plant will be restarted and tested over the next weeks and months and will then provide cumene derived from economically attractive refinery grade propylene. It will be an important building block to secure INEOS Phenol’s continuing global growth.

Currently, the company is actively investigating additional projects to produce cumene, phenol, and acetone, particularly in Asia, with a focus on China. Peter Bickert, CEO of INEOS Phenol, remarks: “Our customers expect flexibility and security of supply at most competitive prices. Our strategy to operate world-scale facilities and actively secure our feedstock in advantaged locations will help us continue to meet those expectations.”

Contact:

Alberto Spera
INEOS Americas LLC, Phenol Division
Phone: (443) 334-3070
Email: alberto.spera@ineosphenol.com