Westlake Chemical Announces New Chlor-Alkali Unit Construction in Louisiana

Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) announced today it is proceeding with the previously announced construction of a new chlor-alkali plant to be located at its vinyls manufacturing complex in Geismar, Louisiana. 

The new chlor-alkali unit is estimated to produce 250,000 electrochemical units (ECU's) annually, bringing the company's total estimated ECU capacity upon completion to 525,000 per year.  This new plant is consistent with Westlake's vertical integration strategy for its vinyls business and will allow the company to achieve chlorine integration.

The construction costs for this chlor-alkali facility are estimated to range between $250 million and $300 million.  The project is targeted for start-up in the second half  of 2013 and will be partially funded by the Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds issued by the company.  The plant will utilize state of the art membrane technology and is expected to create approximately 100 permanent positions and 400 to 500 construction jobs. The new unit will be adjacent to the existing vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) facilities at the Geismar complex.