01-10-2019

INEOS breaks ground at its world scale Cumene investment at Marl

INEOS Phenol today has broken ground at its world scale cumene investment in Marl Germany. The new state of the art 750,000 tonnes unit is scheduled to be completed in 2021.

Its location will help optimise the efficiency of the plant by integrating raw materials from the refinery and cracker complex. The site also benefits from the Marl harbour waterway connection.

The ceremony was attended by Economy Minister Andreas Pinkwart and local politicians, as well as customers and business partners of INEOS.

INEOS Phenol is the world’s largest producer of phenol and acetone and the largest consumer of cumene as an essential raw material. The construction of the plant will support customer’s ambitions and secure the supply of raw material to the INEOS phenol and acetone plants located in Gladbeck and Antwerp for decades to come.

At the ceremony, Andy Currie, Director of INEOS Capital said, “INEOS Phenol has been a strong contributor to the INEOS Group for nearly 20 years. The investment here, at Marl in a world scale cumene unit will help underpin the continued success of this business for many more years to come.”

Hans Casier, CEO of INEOS Phenol said, “We are very pleased to be making this important feedstock investment in our European business. It shows a clear commitment by INEOS to its business, customers and suppliers. Our customers should be confident that we are investing in our business to meet their long-term business needs.”

Minister Pinkwart said, “The chemical industry is the driver of innovation, it provides essential basics and is imperative for coping with tasks ahead. This new plant will be a fine example of the industry's innovative strength. Today's ground-breaking ceremony is also a sign for the unique ‘Verbund’ structure of our chemical industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. The ‘Verbund’ makes an important contribution to the attractiveness of chemistry in the northern Ruhr area and to the increasing competitiveness of our industry.”

Dr Jörg Harren, Site Manager of the Marl Chemical Park, was convinced of the strength of the production network in the Chemical Park, "Our plant is not only emblematic of the chemical network of the entire northern Ruhr area. With our strong infrastructure and proven expertise, we are the right place for this high-tech INEOS chemical plant."