Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) has announced that it has finished work to double the capacity of its facility in Beringen, Belgium for producing polyalphaolefins (PAOs).
The plant is now capable of producing up to 120,000 metric tons of low-viscosity (LV) PAOs a year. This makes it Europe’s biggest facility for this sought-after component. Indeed, LV PAOs are essential for making many industrial fluids, such as Chevron’s own Texaco lubricant and grease products. They are also in high demand for emerging applications like immersion cooling, wind turbine gearboxes and electric vehicles. It is therefore unsurprising that LV PAOs are in increasing demand, as various global industries look for high-performance, sustainable solutions.
The company’s general manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Antoine Janssens, said:
“Beringen has a proud legacy of operational excellence and innovation in PAO production. This expansion strengthens that legacy, enhances integration with our existing assets, and reinforces CPChem’s position as a global leader in the specialty chemicals market.”
The facility is strategically located in the heart of Western Europe, giving it ready access to key markets and feedstock. Manager Frank Derudder said the company was scaling up PAO production to meet growing demand without sacrificing quality. Advanced technologies for electrification were integrated into the upgraded facility to reduce the need for natural gas. This alone will help lower emissions and improve efficiency in the long term. The company is also looking at minimising the site’s environmental impact further by using renewable energy.
