South Louisiana Methanol to setup new Mississippi plant

08 Mar '13

5 min read

LED began working with ZEEP on the South Louisiana Methanol project in February 2012. To secure the project, the state will offer an incentive package that includes a $5 million performance-based grant for infrastructure costs, and the services of Louisiana’s top-ranked workforce development program, LED FastStart. In addition, the company is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

“On behalf of all of St James Parish, we welcome ZEEP and its South Louisiana Methanol facility to what has become a diverse business and industrial family,” said St. James Parish President Timmy Roussel.

“From what we have learned, the technology to be utilized and the products to be produced – combined with the project size, employment levels and growth potential – would make ZEEP a prized addition for any parish’s economy. And with ZEEP’s focus on the development of premium fuels products utilizing abundant natural gas, the entire River Region will enjoy the benefits of this company’s choice to build here in St. James Parish."

Construction of the project will begin in the fourth quarter of 2013, with hiring expected to begin in early 2015 and commercial operations of the South Louisiana Methanol facility to start in mid-2016.

“During the last 10 months, the Port of South Louisiana has been working diligently with officials from LED and the River Parishes in the search for a site that would accommodate ZEEP’s requirements,” said Executive Director and CEO Joel Chaisson of the Port of South Louisiana.

“Fortunately, after several visits to our port, the company narrowed the search to a location in St. James Parish. We are now excited to welcome the development of a new energy plant, ZEEP, to St. James Parish and to our port district. We are happy to hear ZEEP’s plans to develop a $1 billion methanol plant that will produce clean products and offer employment to the residents of the River Region.”

“Greater New Orleans Inc. is thrilled to welcome SLM to the region,” said GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht. “Not only will SLM bring $1.3 billion in investment and hundreds of jobs, but this major funding of a clean manufacturing facility proves again that Louisiana’s combination of unparalleled logistics, Top 10 business climate and affordable natural gas makes it an unbeatable location for large industrial projects.”

About South Louisiana Methanol

South Louisiana Methanol LP will build and operate a world-scale methanol production facility in St. James Parish, La. Located along the Mississippi River at the Port of South Louisiana, the facility will be supported by ZEEP Ltd. of Austin, Texas, and Todd Corp., based in Wellington, New Zealand.

South Louisiana Methanol