Austria-based chemicals provider Borealis is investing EUR45 million in two major expansions in its European manufacturing plants in Stenungsund, Sweden and Porvoo, Finland. The first investment concerns a C4 project in Stenungsund to upgrade the facility’s existing raffinate-1 and raffinate-2 streams to meet required product specifications for the delivery of n-butenes. The EUR21 million investment is scheduled for completion by March 2015, and is part of a broader commitment to support customers’ raw material demand for expanding production of olefin-based products. The project contracting process commenced in December 2012.

In Porvoo, plans have been approved for the replacement of a 30-year old hot oil heater unit at the Phenol complex. The installation of the new heater, scheduled for 2015 at a cost of EUR25 million, is a key element in improving efficiency and site integration. The new unit will reduce maintenance requirements and CO2 emissions whilst securing safe, continuous, reliable and cost-competitive operations, says the company.