Sasol’s LDPE unit achieves beneficial operation
Sasol has announced that the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit at the Lake Charles Chemicals Project (LCCP) achieved beneficial operation on 15 November 2020.
This unit, which was damaged in a fire during commissioning in January 2020, is the last of seven units to be brought into operation.
The LCCP is now 100 percent complete with total capital expenditure forecast to be within the previously communicated guidance of US$12,8 billion.
The LDPE unit, which uses ExxonMobil technology, has a nameplate capacity of 420 kilotons per annum, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The LDPE unit is one of the three LCCP plants that will form part of the Sasol/LyondellBasell Louisiana Integrated Polyethylene joint venture.
Production from the LDPE unit is an important milestone to ensure the JV will be enabled to make a meaningful expansion into the U.S. polymers production market.
All units which were operating prior to Hurricane Laura have returned to operation, with no further operational impact from Hurricane Zeta.