ExxonMobil to spend $150 million on expansion

CHICAGO(June 26)—ExxonMobil Chemical Co. has developed a new family of ethylene-based specialty elastomers and will double the annual capacity of an ethylene-dedicated plant near Baton Rouge, La., to 200,000 metric tons to support its launch in early 2004. The material, Vistamaxx, is made using the firm´s proprietary Exxpro metallocene catalyst technology and will be the third ethylene-based product range to come out of the Baton Rouge plant, along with Exact plastomers and Vistalon EPDM, ExxonMobil said. The expansion will cost $150 million and create 80 to 100 new jobs. The new material will be pitched initially as a polymer modifier for applications that include cast films, fibers and thermoplastic polyolefins, according to George Racine, market development manager for ethylene elastomers. Vistamaxx products can improve the elasticity, softness, adhesion, strength and durability of customers´ products, the firm said.