MOSCOW (MRC) -- Cepsa, 51% owner of its Becancour chemical plant, has agreed to purchase the remaining 49% stake from Investissement Quebec as part of its international growth and expansion plans in its petrochemicals business, said the producer in its press release.
Cepsa’s Becancour plant produces and markets Linear alkylbenzene (LAB), the raw material used in the production of bio-degradable detergents. Cepsa is a leader in LAB, with a capacity of over half a million tons a year, representing 13% of world supply. The Becancour plant has a capacity of 120,000 tons a year, providing an important part of LAB production across North America.
Cepsa acquires 49% remaining stake in its Becancour Canada LAB plant. Cepsa constructed and then opened its Becancour plant in 1995 being the first worldwide in using DETAL technology. It also produces LAB, the precursor of biodegradable surfactants, at its plants in Spain and Brazil, allowing it to serve all the Americas, as well as the European market.
Cepsa's growth in its petrochemical unit was reinforced in April this year when it inaugurated its chemical plant in China, making it the second largest global producer in phenol. Cepsa is also constructing another chemical plant in Indonesia as its international plans gain traction.
CEPSA is an energy group fully owned by the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC). It employs more than 10,500 people and operates at every stage of the hydrocarbon value chain. It is engaged in petroleum and natural gas prospecting and production activities, refining, transport and sale of crude oil and natural gas derivatives, biofuels, co-generation and electricity sales. CEPSA has developed a world-class chemicals division that is tightly integrated with its oil refining segment, where feedstock is manufactured and sold for the production of components with high value-added, chiefly used in making new-generation plastics and biodegradable detergents.
MRC