MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sasol has started construction work on its USD8.1bn ethane cracker and derivatives complex in Westlake, Louisiana, US, said Chemicals-Technology.
Said to triple Sasol's chemical production in the US, the petrochemical complex will benefit from domestic ethane supplies, to produce various speciality chemicals for global markets.
Sasol international operations executive vice-president Steve Cornell said: "By the time construction is complete in 2018, Sasol's investment will total almost USD9bn dollars, making it one of the largest investments in our company's history.
"Along the way, we'll create more than 5,000 construction jobs and more than 500 full-time positions, 100 of which have already been filled." "By the time construction is complete in 2018, Sasol's investment will total almost USD9bn dollars."
The company has been carrying out early works, site preparation and civil construction work since 2014.
Sasol will soon start site above-ground work and heavy equipment deliveries with plans to commence mechanical, electrical and instrumentation work in 2016 and 2017.
The complex, which will also have six chemical manufacturing plants, is planned to commence operations in 2018. It will produce around 1.5 million tonnes of ethylene a year, which will be used to produce chemicals for products such as synthetic fibres, detergents, fragrances, paints, film and packaging.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said: "This industrial complex of an ethane cracker and six affiliated chemical plants is an important component of the remarkable economic success story that is south-west Louisiana." The company plans to invest USD800m in infrastructure improvements, land acquisition and utility improvements at the site.
In 2012, Sasol announced the project during the feasibility stage alongside plans for a gas-to-liquids facility.
Louisiana will grant USD115m incentives to Sasol if the gas-to-liquids is also finalised.
As MRC informed earlier, in late January 2015 Sasol said it would delay its USD8.1 billion investment in an ethane cracker in Louisiana, in response to low global oil prices.
Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It develops and commercialises technologies, including synthetic fuels technologies, and produces different liquid fuels, chemicals and electricity.
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