03/16/2007
Huntsman Breaks Ground for New Maleic Anhydride Plant
Huntsman Corporation broke ground last week for its previously
announced 100 million pound/year maleic anhydride plant in Geismar,
LA. This new facility represents an investment over $100 million
and will come on line in the 4th quarter of 2008, further
solidifying the company's position as the lead producer of this
versatile chemical intermediate.
Huntsman is one of the world's largest producers of maleic
anhydride, producing 300 million pounds annually. This multipurpose
chemical is essential to the production of a variety of products,
with its largest single application being unsaturated polyester
resins used in housing, automotive and marine industries. Maleic
anhydride is also used in motor oil additives, artificial
sweeteners, flavor enhancers, paper sizing, water treatment
chemicals, epoxy curing agents, hair sprays, pharmaceuticals,
agricultural chemicals and co-polymers. Huntsman is also the
leading world licensor of maleic anhydride fixed bed butane
technology, with licensees in Germany, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea,
China and Saudi Arabia.
Shaw Constructors, Inc., a subsidiary of the Shaw Group Inc.,
will be the primary contractor for the project, creating 350
construction jobs.
The new plant will be constructed in an existing operating area
of the Geismar location using a state-of-the-art world scale sized
reactor, along with Huntsman's proprietary maleic anhydride
technology and Huntsman's proprietary catalyst. The main raw
material, butane, will be supplied by pipeline from nearby
fractionators.
Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of
differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture
products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals,
plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and
coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care,
detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging.
Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and,
later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman
today has 14,000 employees and over 75 operations in 24 countries.
The Company had 2006 revenues from all operations of over $13
billion.
