Huntsman awards contract for detailed engineering and procurement of Maleic Anydride plant

31-Oct-06

Huntsman Corporation has awarded a contract to CDI Engineering Solutions Inc. for detailed engineering and procurement for construction of its previously announced 100 million pound pa maleic anhydride plant at Geismar, Louisiana. The basic engineering for the new plant was completed earlier this year. A construction contract is expected to be awarded in early November for the plant scheduled for mechanical completion by Q4-2008. The reactor, ordered with MAN DWE GmbH in Deggendorf, Germany, remains on track for the scheduled delivery date of April 2008. Huntsman is a leading global producer of maleic anhydride and currently has the annual capacity to produce 240 million pounds at its Pensacola, Florida facility. Huntsman also owns a 50% interest in a joint venture in Moers, Germany, that currently has an annual capacity of 130 million pounds. This plant will provide the company a vantage point from which to plan for market demand and future opportunity, in addition to maintaining its leadership position. The combination of this plant with the company's existing domestic and European facilities will further establish Huntsman as the preferred supplier of maleic anhydride. Maleic anhydride is the building block for unsaturated polyester resins used mainly in the production of fiberglass reinforced resins for construction, automotive and marine products.