Modernization upgrades at Nova Chemicals

03-Feb-05

In a bid to reduce production costs and improve reliability, Nova Chemicals Corporation has announced a series of modernization upgrades to its Corunna, Ontario ethylene flexi-cracker. The investment outlay fo rteh modernization will be US$210 million, including furnace and infrastructure improvements as well as the replacement of several large compressors. The upgrades scheduled for 2005, are due for completion in the Q2-2006. The upgrade is expected to result in enhanced energy efficiency, reduced emissions, strengthened operating reliability. This in turn will lead to expanded ethylene and propylene capacity in order to prepare for a prolonged period of strong demand for ethylene and polyethylene. As part of the project, Nova Chemicals plans to increase annual ethylene production capacity at the Corunna site by approximately 225 to 400 million pounds, depending on feedstocks, plus produce more propylene and coproducts. The flexi-cracker supplies ethylene to Novas’ Sarnia, Ontario area polyethylene and styrene manufacturing sites and to other area plastics and petrochemical production facilities. Increased supply to NOVA Chemicals’ three Sarnia area ethylene consuming plants will reduce requirements to ship ethylene from the company’s Joffre, Alberta facility – improving reliability, lowering costs, and resulting in greater flexibility at the Joffre site.