PTT Global Chemical to construct petrochemical facility in Ohio

Today Governor John R. Kasich announced that PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), Thailand's largest integrated petrochemical and refining company, and its project partner, Marubeni Corporation, a Japan based company, have selected a site in Belmont County, Ohio, for the possible construction of a world scale petrochemical complex. With a site now selected, PTTGC and Marubeni will take the next 12 to 16 months to complete the detailed engineering design and permitting.

For nearly two years, PTTGC and Marubeni have considered project sites across the Utica and Marcellus shale region. JobsOhio, the private, non-profit corporation designed to drive job creation and capital investment in Ohio, has worked with the companies throughout this time and led the effort to move this project forward in Ohio.

"Ohio is at the centre of America's new energy industry, and the smart companies want to come here to be part of the great things that are happening. We are one step closer to landing a new, multi billion dollar investment in eastern Ohio, and that's exciting news for our state, the region and Belmont County," said Kasich. "There is more work ahead before final decisions on this project are made, but I know our Ohio team will do everything we can to bring it fruition. We are excited about the possibility of working with companies of the calibre of PTTGC Global and Marubeni. A project of this size can help lift the region forever."

If constructed, the ethane cracker would utilise ethane extracted from the region's Marcellus and Utica Shale formations. The facility would then crack the ethane into ethylene, which is used as a basis for plastics and resins contained in everyday items such as food and product packaging, textiles and pharmaceuticals.

"Working with JobsOhio and the state over the past two years has been a positive experience and we look forward to moving this project into the next phase," said Dr Kongkrapan Intarajang, Executive Vice President of International Business Relations for PTTGC. "While we have not yet made final decisions on this investment, we will continue to work with Governor Kasich, JobsOhio and all of the local partners in an effort to make our vision a reality."

John Minor, President and Chief Investment Officer of JobsOhio, added, "This project has been a truly collaborative effort, resulting in this good news for eastern Ohio and the state. JobsOhio's David Mustine and Matt Cybulski played leading roles working with PTTGC and Marubeni along with our regional partner Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth and local development partners. I thank them for playing such integral roles in advancing the project to this point. An ethane cracker in Belmont would facilitate additional investments in the growing shale and petrochemical industries, and with greater investments come more job opportunities for Ohioans."

PTTGC and Marubeni are expected to make a final investment decision in 2016. Should the project move forward, construction of the ethane cracker facility would take an estimated three and a half years to complete.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/23042015/ptt-global-chemical-to-construct-petrochemical-facility-in-ohio-652/