Robust demand for petrochemicals globally shot production to near capacity at Dow Chemical’s Prentiss site in Lacombe County, making it the best year in the last 10 or 15 years for the company. Dow Chemical experienced record-breaking Q4 sales in 2004, reaching US$10.9 billion, a 31% increase from the same period in 2003. Overall sales reached US$40.2 billion, up 23% from last year.
MEGlobal - a 50-50 joint venture for the manufacture and marketing of ethylene glycol was formed by Dow Chemical Co. and Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) of Kuwait last June. MEGlobal's two ethylene glycol plants at Prentiss, produced more than 337 million kilograms last year. Ethylene glycol is used to manufacture polyester fibres, polyethylene terephthalate polymers (PET), antifreeze and other industrial products.
North America is Dow’s primary market for polyethylene. Strong economies in Canada and the U.S. help trigger increased sales. Dow’s LP7 polyethylene plant at Prentiss was very close to capacity, producing 585 million kilograms this year.
However, growth will be limited due to limited feedstock sources, as available quantities are not enough at the moment to ramp up production at Prentiss. Without new feedstock sources, no new short-term investment in the petrochemical industry will be seen.
17-Feb-05 
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