ExxonMobil Chemical, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, announced that the company’s representatives have broken ground for the construction of a new plant to make advanced synthetic lubricant base stocks in Baytown, Texas.
ExxonMobil Chemical representatives break ground on a new plant to make synthetic lubricant base stocks in Baytown, Texas.
The plant will produce 50,000 t of SpectraSyn Elite high-viscosity (Hi-Vis) metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) synthetic base stocks per year. The facility will be located at ExxonMobil’s integrated complex, which is one of the largest petroleum and petrochemical complex in the U.S. The complex integrates a refinery, a global technology center, an engineering office and two chemical plants.
The construction of the new Baytown manufacturing capacity is expected to be completed in 2013. SpectraSyn Elite synthetic base stocks are produced with a proprietary metallocene catalyst technology. They help to make lubricants with low-temperature performance and enhanced viscosity index (VI) and shear stability. ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the largest PAO producers in the world and it offers a wide range of advanced synthetic base stocks, including Esterex ester fluid, SpectraSyn PAO and Synesstic alkylated naphthalene.
The demand for high-performance lubricants produced with advanced synthetic base stocks is driven by extended drain intervals, enhanced durability and greater energy efficiency. With the establishment of the new Hi-Vis mPAO facility, ExxonMobil shows its commitment to provide consistent supply of synthetic base stocks to its clients for producing innovative lubricants.