| 1953 |
- LyondellBasell predecessor company scientist Professor Karl Ziegler discovers the first linear polyethylene (PE) chain.
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| 1954 |
- LyondellBasell predecessor company scientist Giulio Natta polymerizes the first crystalline polypropylene.
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| 1963 |
- Natta and Ziegler jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discoveries in polyolefins technology and catalysts.
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| 1969 |
- The PO/TBA process, invented by Atlantic Richfield Company. (ARCO), produces propylene oxide with tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) as the co-product.
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| 1975 |
- Start-up of the first Hostalen high density polyethylene (HDPE) process plant.
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| 1982 |
- Spheripol process, currently the most widely used polyolefins process technology, first introduced by predecessor company Montedison
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| 1985 |
- Lyondell Chemical Company is formed from selected chemical and refining assets of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO).
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| 1989 |
- Lyondell is spun off from ARCO, becoming a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Ticker symbol: LYO).
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| 1990 |
- Lyondell acquires low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) businesses from Rexene.
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| 1993 |
- LYONDELL-CITGO Refining (LCR) is formed as the Houston Refinery becomes a joint venture with CITGO Petroleum Corporation.
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| 1997 |
- Equistar Chemicals, LP is formed as a joint venture between Lyondell and Millennium Chemicals Inc.
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| 1998 |
- Lyondell acquires ARCO Chemical Company.
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| 2000 |
- Basell is formed through the merger of Montell, Targor and Elenac; a 50/50 joint venture between BASF and Shell.
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| 2001 |
- Basell completes start-up of the world's largest low density polyethylene plant (LDPE) in Aubette, France, with a single line capacity of 320,000 tons per year.
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| 2002 |
- Lyondell increases interest in Equistar to 70.5 percent with acquisition of Occidental's share.
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| 2004 |
- Lyondell acquires Millennium Chemicals Inc. As a result, Equistar becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Lyondell.
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| 2005 |
- Access Industries, a privately held industrial group with long-term holdings around the world, purchases Basell.
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| 2006 |
- Lyondell acquires CITGO’s 41.25 percent ownership interest in LCR. As a result of this transaction, Houston Refining LP(formerly LCR) becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Lyondell.
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| 2007 |
- Basell and Lyondell merge to become LyondellBasell Industries - one of the world's largest polymers, chemicals and fuels companies.
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| 2008 |
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| 2009 |
- LyondellBasell voluntarily files for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
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| 2010 |
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LyondellBasell emerges from Chapter 11 protection a stronger organization, with a significantly de-levered balance sheet, a radically improved cost structure, a new leadership team and a clear focus on Everyday Excellence and Goal Zero. Listed on the NYSE as a publicly traded company (Ticker symbols: LYB and LYB.B). |