MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire a 365 kilo tons per annum synthesis gas production unit from Linde PLC, as per the company's press release.
The production unit is located at the Celanese Clear Lake acetyl intermediates manufacturing facility located in Pasadena, Texas.
"By acquiring this syngas production unit, Celanese will have the capability of producing a critical raw material for the world's largest acetyl intermediates production facility," said Todd Elliott, Celanese Senior Vice President, Acetyls. "Linde is currently the primary carbon monoxide supplier to the Clear Lake facility, and the acquisition of this synthesis gas production unit will provide Celanese with future productivity and growth configuration options."
Synthesis gas, or syngas, is a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Syngas can be produced from many sources, including natural gas, coal, biomass, or virtually any hydrocarbon feedstock, by reaction with steam or oxygen. Syngas is a crucial intermediate resource for the production of acetic acid, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and synthetic hydrocarbon fuels.
Celanese Corporation and Linde PLC expect to complete the transaction pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial details of the deal are not being disclosed at this time.
As MRC reported earlier, Celanese Corporation announced price increases for its GUR and GHR grades (UHMW-PE) to be shipped starting from January to Europe, the Americas and Asia. The price increases below are effective for orders shipped on or after 1 January, 2019, or as contracts otherwise allow, as follows:
- in Europe - by EUR150/tonne;
- in Asia - by USD150/tonne;
- in North and South America - by 10%.
Linde plc is a leading industrial gas and engineering company with market capitalization of approximately USD90 billion (EUR 78 billion) and 2017 pro forma sales of USD 27 billion (EUR 24 billion). The company employs approximately 80,000 people globally and serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. Linde plc delivers innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers and creates long-term value for all stakeholders.
Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,600 employees worldwide and had 2017 net sales of USD6.1 billion.
MRC