Global chemical company, Oxea, owned by Oman Oil Company, started basic engineering for a 2-Ethylhexanol and Propanol unit at its world-scale production plant at Bay City, Texas. Both units are scheduled to be operational in late 2016.

2-EH is used in the production of acrylates, nitrates, acids and plasticizers, and serves, among others, as a solvent in the paint and coatings industries. Propanol is used to manufacture products such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, printing inks, coatings and adhesives.

Company officials said the new units will further add to its most recent capacity expansion at the Bay City plant, which will increase current output of Butanol and Propanol by 25 percent. This additional volume is planned to come on line in the second half of 2014.

“Oxea is a leading merchant supplier of Oxo products such as alcohols, aldehydes, and acids. We continue to significantly invest into our production platforms to support the growth of our customers and meet the rising demands of the markets. Once on line, our customers of 2-EH in the Americas will be able to benefit from our enhanced delivery capability for this important chemical,” said Miguel Mantas, Member of Oxea’s Executive Board and responsible for Marketing and Sales. “We also continue to invest in Propanol to support our customers’ growth,” he added.

“The new facilities for 2-EH and Propanol in North America not only support our strategy of growing the business and enhancing the efficiency of our operations. It also emphasizes our confidence in the competitiveness of the United States petrochemical industry and reinforces our commitment to the North and Latin American markets,” commented Dr. Martina Flöel, spokesperson for the Oxea Executive Board, who is also responsible for Production and Technology.