Shell Launches Monoethylene Glycol Plant in Singapore

Dec. 15, 2009

Shell Chemicals Ltd. recently announced the successful start-up of its new monoethylene glycol (MEG) unit at the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex in Singapore.

Josh Cable

The unit, which has a nameplate capacity of 750,000 tons of MEG per annum, started up as initially planned, according to Shell.

The Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex also includes a new 800,000-tons-per-annum ethylene cracker, a butadiene plant and modifications to Shell's Bukom refinery, which are planned to start up in early 2010, according to the company.

"The commissioning of the MEG plant is a significant step towards the completion in early 2010 of the Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex in Singapore (SEPC)," said Mark Williams, Shell downstream director. "SEPC is our largest investment in Singapore and our largest petrochemicals investment to date, reinforcing our intention to continue to grow our Chemicals business selectively and to anticipate the needs of our customers in Asia.

"When SEPC is fully operational, it will be our biggest, fully integrated refinery and petrochemicals hub, from which we will enjoy economic and efficiency benefits in terms of feedstocks, operations and logistics."

The new plant is on Jurong Island in Singapore, "an ideal location to serve Asian customers from within the region," according to the company.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.