Equate Group inaugurates new MEGlobal ethylene glycol plant in Texas
Equate Group, a Kuwait-based petrochemicals producer, has inaugurated the new MEGlobal Oyster Creek ethylene glycol plant in Oyster Creek, Texas, as per the latest US petrochemical industry news.
The ethylene glycol plant with a capacity of 750,000 metric-tons-annually is part of Equate’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MEGlobal America.
The MEGlobal Oyster Creek ethylene glycol plant will produce monoethylene and diethylene glycol products by capitalizing on US shale gas.
Monoethylene and diethylene glycol products are used in a range of market applications including polyester fibers, polyethylene terephthalate bottles and packaging, antifreeze and coolants, paints, resins, deicing fluids, heat transfer fluids, and construction materials.
MEGlobal Oyster Creek ethylene glycol plant
MEGlobal Oyster Creek ethylene glycol plant owned by Equate Group. Photo courtesy of EQUATE Group.
Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran – President and CEO of Equate, commenting on the inauguration of the MEGlobal ethylene glycol plant, said: “This is a major achievement for the EQUATE Group and will benefit both Kuwait and the US.
“With a growing global market for EG products, it will provide us with greater flexibility to satisfy our customers’ needs while capitalizing on the U.S. shale gas opportunity.
“This site builds on our global footprint and is part of our strategy to grow our value-added business as a leading ethylene glycol producer and supplier.”
Equate is planning to begin shipping the commercial quantities of the finished product from the MEGlobal ethylene glycol plant by November 2019. The company is a joint venture between Dow and PIC with 42.5% each ownership as well as Boubyan Petrochemicals Co. K.S.C. (9%) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries (6%).
Apart from employing approximately 2,000 construction workers at peak, the MEGlobal ethylene glycol plant created 55 new full-time long-term jobs and 25-35 contract jobs. Fluor, under a construction contract, undertook the installation of equipment, steel and piping related to the ethylene glycol plant in Oyster Creek.
Naser Al-Dousari – Equate Executive Vice President, commenting on the MEGlobal ethylene glycol plant opening, said: “This is an important milestone in EQUATE history, adding manufacturing capacity on the U.S. Gulf Coast to satisfy customer needs in the region. EQUATE’s glycol footprint in the Americas is as large as that in Kuwait. The community in Texas has been very welcoming to this investment and we look forward to being a part of this region.”