Lyonell Basell and Covestro Start Circular Steam Project at Maasvlakte Plant

Lyondell Basell and its joint venture partner Covestro, started operation of a large investment project at their site in Maasvlakte-Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Circular Steam Project incorporates an innovative technology into the existing production plant to convert its water-based waste into energy.

Rotterdam/The Netherlands — The new installation will result in an overall annual reduction of ca. 140,000 metric tons CO₂ emissions, 0.9 Petajoule of energy and avoiding the release of 11 million kilograms of salt residue into the surface water, the companies announced.

The project is an important contribution to the Dutch government's CO₂ reduction targets. According to Jean Gadbois, Senior Vice President Manufacturing Europe, Asia and International of Lyondell Basell, the Dutch government's support was pivotal to the viability of projects like this Circular Steam Project.

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The joint venture partners will build a new bio plant and incinerator on the Maasvlakte site, in which the production's waste will be treated and transformed into steam. The steam will be used as an energy source in the existing on-site production plant, thus making it a circular process. The construction will employ about 71 people full-time; the new facilities will eventually provide permanent positions for 11 full-time employees. The official start of the project was marked by a ceremony in which the companies, together with a large group of stakeholders, revealed the construction plan and its key benefits.

The facility began operations in 2003 and produces propylene oxide (PO) and styrene monomer (SM). One of the largest plants of its kind in the world, the Maasvlakte plant is a joint venture between Lyondell Basell and Covestro (formerly Bayer), each owning 50 % of the plant. Lyondell Basell serves as the operator for the plant. The chemicals produced at the Maasvlakte plant form the building blocks for basic products like clothing, furniture, household products and construction materials.