Shell Chemical LP (Shell) today announced the start of production of the fourth alpha olefins (AO) unit at its Geismar, Louisiana, US chemical manufacturing site.
The 425 000 tpy capacity expansion brings total AO production at Geismar to more than 1.3 million tpy. Start-up operations began in December 2018.
AOs are key ingredients in many finished products used every day, including laundry detergents, motor oils, and hand soaps.
The Geismar site is supported with advantaged ethylene feedstock from Shell’s nearby Norco, Louisiana and Deer Park, Texas manufacturing sites, enabling the site to respond to market conditions.
Several new pieces of infrastructure were built as part of the expansion, including a new water cooling tower, a significant expansion of the site’s rail loading capabilities, and the repurposing of a previously idled tank farm.