LyondellBasell’s Fos Caban plant is an integrated facility producing propylene oxide (PO), tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), propylene glycols and methyl/ethyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE/ETBE). These products are used to produce consumer products including clothing, household products, construction materials and cleaner-burning gasoline.
Some of the propylene oxide produced at Fos is used to make polyols at an operating unit now owned by Bayer. Polyols are used to make urethane foams for uses including home furnishings and automotive seating. PO also is used to produce propylene glycol, a basic chemical used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins, humectants for tobacco and food products and for solvents used in the cosmetics industry. The PO coproduct, TBA, is used in the production of MTBE or bio ETBE (for biofuels) which are octane enhancers for gasoline.
The Fos Caban plant is located on the Mediterranean coast of France, about 70 kilometers west of Marseilles. The plant contains about 133 acres and began operations in 1988.
LyondellBasell At A Glance
LyondellBasell is the world’s third-largest independent chemical company. We have annual revenues of approximately $41 billion* and more than 14,000 employees worldwide. Our vertically integrated facilities, broad product portfolio, manufacturing flexibility, superior technology base and reputation for operational excellence enable us to deliver exceptional value to our customers across the petrochemical chain – from refining to advanced product applications.
*Based on 2010 revenues
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