Polymers and petrochemical firm Chevron Phillips Chemical said it will launch a project at its Baytown, TX production facility to add a new C3 splitter unit that will support the expansion of its polypropylene business.

Projected to start up in 2023, the unit will open with a capacity of 1 billion lb/yr. The C3 splitter will process a refinery grade mixture of propane and propylene into a high purity propylene product.

“With global propylene demand on the rise, this project reinforces Chevron Phillips Chemical’s commitment to expand to meet our customers’ needs and remain a leading propylene supplier,” said Justine Smith, senior vice president of petrochemicals for the company, in a recent release.

The company operates additional C3 splitter units at its Cedar Bayou, Port Arthur and Sweeney, Clemens and Old Ocean locations in Texas. Chevron Phillips said the unit in Baytown will provide flexibility and additional production to meet anticipated demand from customers.

“Our company is thankful for the support of our customers, elected officials and local community. Baytown is already home to important assets for our company, and we look forward to becoming an even more important economic engine for the local economy, while expanding our business to meet global customer demand,” said Smith.