ExxonMobil Chemical recently announced that it will build a new world-scale facility to manufacture its metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) synthetic lubricant base stocks at its integrated refining and chemical complex in Baytown, Texas.
The facility will have the capacity to produce 50,000 tons per year of high-viscosity SpectraSyn Elite mPAO. Engineering, procurement and construction activities for the new facility have begun. Completion is expected in 2013.
“The drive for greater energy efficiency, improved durability and extended drain intervals is creating demand for high-performance lubricants made with advanced synthetic base stocks,” said Habib Quazi, synthetics global vice president. “This new metallocene Hi-Vis PAO manufacturing capacity demonstrates ExxonMobil's technology leadership and our commitment to provide our customers with reliable supply of synthetic base stocks that enable innovative synthetic lubricants.”
SpectraSyn Elite mPAO base stocks are manufactured using a proprietary metallocene catalyst process and offer improved performance characteristics versus conventional PAO. This enables finished lubricants with improved shear stability, viscosity index and low-temperature performance. These properties can help address formulators’ lubrication challenges, particularly in industrial applications.
ExxonMobil Chemical is the world’s largest PAO producer and offers the broadest range of advanced synthetic base stock fluids, including SpectraSyn PAO, Synesstic alkylated naphthalene and Esterex ester fluids. The Baytown complex is the largest integrated petroleum and petrochemical complex in the United States. It includes a refinery, two chemical plants, an engineering office and a global technology center.
For more information, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com.
