News

INEOS Oxide announced today, the intention to expand its ethylene oxide and ethanolamine derivative capabilities at its site in Lavéra, France. 

The expansions will include additional EO capacity and de-bottlenecking of its 55 kt ethanolamine unit to a worldscale, state of the art, 180 kt facility. With the expansion, INEOS Oxide will become the world's leading ethanolamine seller, with an overall nameplate capacity of 360 kt. Production from these facilities will commence early in 2010.

"The expansion of the ethylene oxide and ethanolamine units in Lavéra is an important step to continue the growth of INEOS Oxide as the leading ethylene oxide and derivatives producer globally. These investments have been under review since we acquired the Innovene assets at the end of 2005 and will enable us to continue to support the growth of our customers" said Hans Casier, CEO of INEOS Oxide.

INEOS Oxide, part of the € 27 billion INEOS Group of Companies, is a leading producer of Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Oxide Derivatives, Propylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide Derivatives, plus a range of solvents and speciality chemicals, with production facilities in Antwerp Belgium, Köln Germany, Lavéra France, Plaquemine Louisiana and Freeport Texas.

For further details please contact: 

Hans Casier, CEO, INEOS Oxide Ltd
Phone: +44 2380 287 067

Morton Aubrey, General Manager, INEOS LLC
Phone: +1 713 243 6207

Note to editors:

Ethylene oxide is used for the production of glycols, mainly used in the textile industry, and as an intermediate for the production of other derivatives, such as detergents, refrigerants or personal care among.

INEOS has 68 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries throughout the world. With 15,600 employees, the Company produces more than 30 million tonnes of petrochemicals, 20 million tons per annum of crude oil refined products (fuels) and sales of around € 27bn.