US-based chemical firm ExxonMobil has started up its operations in one of the world's largest ethylene steam crackers in Singapore, which is also its most important multi-billion dollar expansion project at its petrochemical complex in Singapore.

The new petrochemical plant expansion project will add 2.6 million tonnes/year of finished products by increasing its capacity by 100%. The expansion includes two new polyethylene plants, a polypropylene plant, a metallocene elastomers unit, an oxo-alcohol unit and an aromatics expansion, all of which are completed and beginning operation. Ethylene production is expected to start in the next few months. “We have doubled the size of our finished product capacity at Singapore, making this the largest chemical expansion project in ExxonMobil history,” said Steve Pryor, president, ExxonMobil Chemical. “This is among the most technically advanced and competitive manufacturing sites in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.”

The project is powered by cogeneration plant of 220-megawatt capacity. Compared to the traditional methods, cogeneration is much more efficient for the production of power and steam separately. Moreover, the operating cost and emission of greenhouse gas are also low for cogeneration.

The petrochemical expansion is significant to ExxonMobil. It makes the Singapore facility ExxonMobil’s largest refining and petrochemical complex. It also marks the first production by ExxonMobil of its proprietary speciality elastomers and metallocene-based polyethylene in the Asia Pacific region. The expansion will increase the chemical plant workforce by 50%, bringing total employment at ExxonMobil’s Singapore integrated refining and chemical complex to 1,800.

ExxonMobil has operated in Singapore for more than 100 years and is one of Singapore’s largest foreign manufacturing investors. The company has expanded refining and petrochemical production in Singapore to meet expected demand for transportation fuels and the chemicals used for plastics and other manufacturing across the Asia Pacific region.