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The official groundbreaking of an over 2-billion lb/yr ethane steam cracker held earlier this month in Port Arthur, Texas, is the first project for the newly-formed Bayport Polymers LLC (“Bay-Pol”), a 50-50 joint venture between Total SA (U.S. office in Houston) and Novealis Holdings LLC—a joint venture between Borealis (U.S. office in Port Murray, N.J.) and Nova Chemicals (U.S. office in Moon Township, Penn.)   

Bay-Pol combines Total’s existing Bayport, Texas, 900-million lb/yr PE facility with the Borealis proprietary multi-modal Borstar technology that produces enhanced L/LDPE, HDPE and MDPE, and Nova’s deep polyethylene customer and technical expertise to deliver a broad range of products to help meet growing demand. Moreover, the project will include a new 1.4-billion lb/yr Borstar PE unit at the Bayport site, subject to FID (final investment decision).

Said Bay-Pol president Diane Chamberlain, “This is an important milestone for our new company. The power of partnership demonstrated here firmly positions Bay-Pol to deliver innovative products and applications to new and existing customers, while reinforcing our position in an increasingly competitive polyethylene market.”