MONHEIM AM RHEIN, Germany – Oxea has started the construction of a new world-scale propanol unit at its production site at Bay City, Texas. The new unit, Propanol 2, is scheduled to come on-stream in 2018. Once commissioned, it will add a capacity of 100,000 mt/year of propanol and 40,000 mt/year of propionaldehyde.

“This project reflects our long-term selective growth strategy. It helps us reinforce our strong position as the largest producer of propanol worldwide. Propanol 2 will provide Oxea with opportunities for further expansion into profitable growth areas,” said Purnendu Rai, Executive Vice President Global Sales and Oxo-Intermediates.

As Oxea is finalizing the detailed engineering phase, construction of the new plant has commenced. Site preparation, including demolition of existing foundations from previously retired equipment, and the construction of temporary project facilities have been completed. Current activities are focused on starting the execution of civil construction and completing the bid processes for the remaining construction work, primarily mechanical, and instrumentation and electrical.