ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands – LyondellBasell Industries has taken steps to temporarily idle its low-density polyethylene units at Carrington, UK, and Fos-sur-Mer, France, into the second quarter of 2009. The Carrington unit has a nameplate capacity of 185 KT per year, and the Fos plant has a nameplate capacity of 110 KT per year.
“Although demand for polyethylene has significantly improved compared to the fourth quarter of last year, normal patterns have not been achieved yet. This measure is another step in our efforts to continue our business in a way that is economically reasonable. Our flexibility in polyethylene production in Europe is helping to optimize our physical assets while continuing to meet the needs of our customers,” said Richard Roudeix, LyondellBasell’s Vice President for Polyethylene in Europe.