The olefins facility has begun producing ethylene on 25 December 2012. Dow Chemical’s St. Charles plant is expected to result in an increase of $150m in EBITDA in 2013.
The latest move is part of the firm’s investment plan to better connect with its US operations and grow supply of shale gas and provide competitive advantage to its downstream business.
Dow Chemical Company Olefins, Aromatics and Alternatives president Brian Ames said the restart of the ethylene indicates the company’s first US Gulf coast investment plan.
"This action further reduces the company’s purchased ethylene, lowering costs and strengthening the competitiveness of our high-margin, high-growth derivatives businesses," Ames added.
Dow Chemical also has plans to increase the supply of ethylene and propylene and increase ethane cracking capabilities of its US gulf coast facilities to strengthen competitiveness and increase profits in Americas.
