ExxonMobil has announced the startup of its new polypropylene production unit at the Polyolefins Plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Startup of new polypropylene unit increases capacity to meet growing demand for highperformance products
- Polypropylene is used in everyday products, including lightweight auto parts that improve fuel efficiency
- Expansion project generates economic development and jobs
The unit increases polypropylene production capacity along the Gulf Coast by 450,000 metric tonnes per year, meeting growing demand for high-performance, lightweight and durable plastics. Polypropylene, a polymer with several applications, is used to improve the safety and efficiency of everyday products like medical masks.
“With the startup of this new production unit, we are well positioned to responsibly meet the growing global demand for these high-performance polymers,” said Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions. “The ingenuity of our people and our investments in technology enable us to produce high quality products that are essential to daily life.”
ExxonMobil maintained its investments in this advantaged project through the COVID pandemic and related economic downturn. The total capital investment was more than $500 million. ExxonMobil’s extensive mega-project management experience and unrivaled technology capability enabled the unit to start up according to planned cost and schedule.
During construction, the project employed more than 650 workers and with full operational status, requires an additional 65 full-time ExxonMobil jobs. ExxonMobil’s integrated operations in Baton Rouge include a more than 500,000 barrel-per-day refinery, as well as chemical, lubricants, polyolefins and plastics manufacturing. ExxonMobil has more than 5,500 employees and contractors in the Baton Rouge area and its operations account for approximately one in every 10 jobs in the region.