Westlake Chemical to Invest $140M in Plant Expansion

Moving to boost its production capacity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), Westlake Chemical Corporation announced plans to invest in the expansion of two plants in Germany and a facility in Geismar, LA.

The Houston, TX-based firm intends to dedicate about $140 million toward the Geismar project, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported. Plants in Burgausen and Gendorf in Germany will also be expanded. Westlake’s annual capacity of PVC will grow by some 750 million lbs and its output of VCM will increase by about 200 million lbs, a company press release said. Expansion efforts at the Geismar facility will focus on boosting production of suspension PVC and VCM.

At the Gendorf plant, Westlake plans to increase production of chlorine by 55 million lbs membrane caustic soda by 60 million lbs. The company also will boost chlor-alkali production.

“The chlor-alkali, PVC, and VCM capacity expansions in Germany will be our first since we completed the acquisition of our Vinnolit subsidiary in 2014,” Westlake Chemical’s chief executive officer and president, Albert Chao, said in a statement. “These PVC and VCM expansions support our integrated vinyl products chain and demonstrate Westlake’s commitment to provide our global customers with additional production to meet their growing needs.”

Westlake said the expansion of the Geismar and Burghausen facilities will wrap up in 2019, while the Gendorf projects are expected to reach completion in 2020 and 2021.

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