Equistar Chemicals, LP will stop producing low density polyethylene (LDPE) at its Pasadena, Texas, tubular process unit by the end of the year, parent company LyondellBasell Industries announced. Production will shift to other sites.
"The decision to stop producing LDPE at this facility was made after an extensive review, which demonstrated that the unit was no longer financially viable," said Jerry Parker, Vice President of Polyethylene Americas.
The Pasadena LDPE unit is operated for Equistar by Sunoco. Equistar owns and operates three other LDPE facilities in North America -- in Clinton, Iowa; La Porte, Texas; and Morris, Ill. In addition, LyondellBasell Industries owns a refinery and three other facilities that produce chemicals and polyolefins in Pasadena.
"High operating costs at the site and unfavorable market economics have provided inadequate financial returns. With the challenging market conditions in North America, continued growth requires economies of scale, low conversion costs and the ability to produce value-added products," Parker said.
LyondellBasell Industries