Equistar plans to restart La Porte olefin unit

16-Jan-09

Encouraged by signs of improvement in petrochemical demand in Q1-09, Equistar Chemicals (an indirect subsidiary of LyondellBasell) plans to restart by the end of January, its olefins unit in La Porte that was idled in October. Deteriorating demand amid economic downturn was mainly responsible for the temporary shutdown of this plant along with another one at Chocloate Bayou. The shutdown will continue at the Chocloate Bayou olefins unit, idled in December.