Polyolefins producer Borealis AG is planning to increase capacity for cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) compounds at its Stenungsund facility in Sweden.
The project will add 20,000 metric tons of annual capacity for producing Borlink extra high voltage (EHV), high voltage direct current (HVDC) and high voltage (HV) polyethylene compounds produced in closed or controlled loop processes.
Vienna-based Borealis said: “Borlink technology is the key response from Borealis and Borouge to guarantee the highest cleanliness to customers and the value chain. The capacity increase is scheduled to come on stream in the course of 2015 and will emphasize Borealis' global leadership in the EHV and HV markets.”
Borouge is a joint venture between Borealis and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.
The Stenungsund facility opened in 2010 and produces low density PE using Borealis' proprietary technology.
In a statement produced for the 2014 Wire Düsseldorf exhibition taking place in Germany on April 7-11, Gilles Rochas, Borealis vice president for energy and infrastructure, said: "This most recent Stenungsund investment is another clear signal of our commitment to ensuring global supply of high quality compounds used for the most demanding applications in power cables, and will bolster our standing as a reliable and innovative leader in the wire and cable industry.”
The statement also discussed the previously announced expansion of PE and PP production at the Borouge facility in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, from 2 million to 4.5 million metric tons per year.
“The wire and cable industry will reap the concrete benefits of this growth with relevant grades produced at a 350,000 [tons per year] high pressure LDPE plant, a significant addition similar to Borealis' LDPE plant in Sweden,” Borealis said in a statement. “This investment in LDPE production spearheads Borouge's ability to manufacture innovative Borlink and Visico XLPE solutions for the global wire and cable market, assuring the same superior product performance of the Ruwais-produced wire and cable compounds.”
