ExxonMobil Chemical plans to build a metallocene polyalphaolefin synthetic lubricant base stock plant at its integrated refining and chemical complex in Baytown, Texas, US.
The facility will have the capacity to produce 50,000t/year of high-viscosity SpectraSyn Elite metallocene polyalphaolefin.
ExxonMobil Chemical synthetics global vice-president Habib Quazi said that the new manufacturing capacity demonstrates the firm's technology leadership and its commitment to provide customers with a reliable supply of synthetic base stocks that enable innovative synthetic lubricants.
SpectraSyn base stocks are manufactured using a proprietary metallocene catalyst process, offering improved shear stability, viscosity index and low-temperature performance.
Engineering, procurement and construction of the facility has begun, and is expected to be completed in 2013.
