Westlake Chemical begins ethylene capacity expansion project in Lake Charles, La.

Westlake Chemical Corp.’s previously announced expansion of the Petro 2 ethylene unit at its complex in Lake Charles, La. has begun.

The expansion will be completed in conjunction with a planned maintenance turnaround and will increase ethane-based ethylene capacity by approximately 230 to 240 million pounds annually in support of the company’s ethylene integration strategy, Westlake said.

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The unit is expected to be down approximately 60 days for the work to be completed.

Houston-based Westlake Chemical manufactures petrochemicals, polymers and building products, including ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, caustic, VCM, PVC and PVC pipe, windows and fence.