Bayer Explores Ethylene Possibilities in Shale Gas Field

Dec. 21, 2010
Company may seek investors for ethylene production site in W. Va.

German pharmaceutical and chemicals giant Bayer AG is exploring the possibility of leasing or selling land adjacent to existing Bayer sites in West Virginia for the development of an ethylene production facility, spokesman Bryan Iams said Dec. 21.

The company said three existing Bayer sites in the Marcellus shale-gas development could be ideal for a thermal cracker.

Bayer utilizes natural gas as both a raw material and a fuel source.

"In addition, the company is investigating the role it could play at various points of the operation, such as processing, shipping and sustainable water treatment," Iams said.

Bayer's Institute and New Martinsville, W.Va., industrial parks could be suitable locations for a thermal cracker to convert the excess ethane found in the gas liquids from the shale, Iams said.

"The valuable chemical feedstocks from such a cracking facility could be used to spur investment by current tenants and by other chemical producers located in the region," he said.

There are three existing Bayer chemical sites within the Marcellus field. Each is located in West Virginia and includes New Martinsville, with about 1,000 acres; Institute, with about 460 acres; and South Charleston, with about 20 acres.

The sites are strategically located in the center of the field and are within reach of about 70% of the U.S. population, Iams said.

The New Martinsville and Institute sites have direct access to major waterways, railways and highways.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!