Area Development
ExxonMobil plans to add a new production unit at its polyethylene plant in Beaumont, Texas. The expansion will increase capacity by 65 percent, or approximately 650,000 tonnes per year, to meet growing demand for high performance plastics.

According to ExxonMobile, the Beaumont expansion project will create 40 permanent jobs upon completion, as well as generate $20 billion in economic activity in the first 13 years of operation based on 2015 Impact Data Source estimates.

“The availability of vast new supplies of U.S. shale gas and associated liquids for feedstock and energy is a significant advantage that enables expansion to meet strong global demand growth in polyethylene,” said Cindy Shulman, Vice President of ExxonMobil’s plastics and resins business.

The Beaumont project builds on supply advantages created by ExxonMobil’s expansion of its Mont Belvieu Plastics Plant in Texas, where two similar polyethylene units are being added. Combined, this multi-billion dollar investment will increase the company’s U.S. polyethylene production by 40 percent, or nearly two million tonnes per year, making Texas the largest polyethylene supply point for ExxonMobil.

“ExxonMobil is committed to continuing investments in its world-class, integrated facilities,” Shulman said. “We combine our state-of-the-art production expertise with a first-class technology organization, which enables us to offer innovative polyethylene products for applications such as flexible food packaging that increases product shelf life and safety.”

“We’re part of the growth in an area that is primed for new business,” said Jason Duncan, Manager of the Beaumont polyethylene plant. “The expansion of the polyethylene plant is now ExxonMobil’s third significant investment in the Beaumont area over the past 18 months, the impact of which will benefit the local economy in the years to come.”