ExxonMobil prepares to take bids for La. expansion

HOUSTON (April 9)—ExxonMobil Chemical Co. is in discussions with engineering and construction firms to bid on plans to expand the production capacity for two metallocene ethylene elastomers in Baton Rouge, La., the company said. Pending final project review, the new facilities are anticipated to be operational by mid-2003. "These facilities enable us to increase our offering of ethylene elastomers to include metallocene EPDM and to expand our Baton Rouge plastomers operation, all based on our Exxpol metallocene technology," a company spokeswoman said. "When completed, we will be able to offer our customers the broadest product portfolio of any ethylene elastomer producer in the world." ExxonMobil Chemical plastomers and EPDM are used in automotive hoses and seals, packaging for food and consumer products, roof sheeting and other consumer applications.