The Economy

Exxon to Build New Lubricant Plant in Texas

Sept. 22, 2011

Plant will have 50,000-tons-per-year capacity.

Exxon Mobil Corp. will build a new lubricant base-stock plant at its Baytown, Texas, chemical complex to meet growing demand for more energy-efficient lubricants in industrial and automotive applications, the company said Sept. 22.

The plant will have a 50,000-tons-per-year capacity to produce the company's high-viscosity lubricants. Facility construction is expected to be completed in 2013.

The product, marketed under Exxon's SpectraSyn Elite brand, is a matallocene polyalphaolefin synthetic lubricant commonly used in closed-loop automotive applications, such as gear boxes, says George Pietrogallo, a spokesman for the company's chemical division.

The products from the facility will be commercially available to Exxon Mobil Chemical customers globally, Pietrogallo said.

Most of the jobs created from the new facility will be construction related.

See also:

Exxon Reaches Beyond Oil

About the Author

Jonathan Katz | Former Managing Editor

Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.

Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.

Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.