50% stake in TotalEnergies' petrochemical complex

INEOS has bought TotalEnergies' 50% stake in France's Lavéra petrochemical complex despite the downturn in demand for chemicals in Europe. It means INEOS has now acquired the French energy company's 50% share of Naphtachimie (720 ktpa steam cracker), Appryl (300 ktpa polypropylene business), Gexaro (270 ktpa aromatics business) and 3TC (naphtha storage).

“All these businesses had been joint ventures between the two companies ever since INEOS acquired the Lavéra site in 2005,” said Xavi Cros, CEO of INEOS O&P South.

The deal also included a number of other infrastructure assets, including part of TotalEnergies’ ethylene pipeline network in France which runs from Lavéra to INEOS’ Sarralbe site on the banks of the River Sarre near Germany.

INEOS O&P South now has sole responsibility for running the naphtha steam cracker at Lavéra – and an opportunity to improve its competitiveness and safeguard its future by ensuring it is environmentally fit for the 21st century.

“We believe this is in the best interests of our customers, our employees and INEOS because it allows us to make the improvements that are needed,” said Xavi.

“This investment, despite the current difficulties across the European chemical sector, will also mean we are in a stronger position when we emerge from this latest crisis.”

He described the acquisition of TotalEnergie’s polypropylene and aromatics businesses as valuable strategic assets.

“These businesses will further enhance our portfolio,” said Xavi. “An extra one million tonnes of capacity means an extra one million tonnes of customer demand.”

Xavi said INEOS’ decision to buy out its JV partner represented a major step forward for INEOS’ businesses in France and southern Europe.

“It makes sense,” he said. “INEOS now can fully optimise the potential of these units and has a lot more assets in the south, whereas TotalEnergies’ interest lies heavily in the north of France.”

The cracker is one of the largest in Europe and is capable of producing 720,000 tonnes of ethylene every year. In addition it produces propylene, butadiene, and other olefins products.

“The acquisition will allow us to fully integrate these assets,” he said. “But we also plan to continue to invest in them, including CO2 reduction to meet INEOS’ net zero 2050 commitment.” 

$245 million Eramet Titanium & Iron (ETI) slag plant acquisition

INEOS Enterprises has bought a French mining company’s plant in Norway for $245 million. The plant in Tyssedal produces titanium slag, a raw material used in the pigment industry, and high-purity pig iron for European foundries.

“It is a good quality asset,” said Ashley Reed, Chairman of INEOS Enterprises.

“And it is complemented by an experienced operations team with high safety, health and environmental standards.”
The plant has used a state-of-the-art process to smelt ilmenite ever since it opened in 1986.

It is the only plant in Europe that uses this method to produce titanium slag and high purity pig iron, and only one of eight plants – outside China – worldwide.

As part of the deal, Grande Côte Opérations has agreed to supply INEOS with ilmenite from its mineral sands mine in Senegal.

Ilmenite is the main source of titanium dioxide, which is used in paints, printing inks, fabrics, plastics and cosmetics.

In Norway, almost all electricity is generated by renewable hydropower.

And the Eramet plant, which INEOS now owns, is located in an area of substantial production of hydroelectric energy. 

Production starts at Europe’s largest cumene facility

INEOS has started production at its new world-scale, state-of-the-art cumene plant in Germany. And, thanks to new technology and reusing heat, the plant will be producing those 750,000 tonnes of cumene every year with 50% fewer CO2 emissions. “To be able to produce phenol with cumene that has a dramatically reduced carbon footprint is a game changer,” said Hans-Juergen Bister, Operations Director for INEOS Phenol.

The cumene plant, the largest in Europe, was built at the Marl Chemical Park in association with CAC Engineering.

“Not only does this project go down in our company history as our largest-ever engineering assignment, but it also represents the outstanding collaborative partnership with INEOS Phenol,” said Mike Niederstadt, Managing Director of CAC.

production of two of the world’s most important key raw materials – phenol and acetone.

INEOS Phenol is already the world’s largest producer of phenol and acetone and the largest consumer of cumene.

Both phenol and acetone are needed to make polycarbonate, which is used throughout the automotive industry.

Most headlamps, tail lights, windows, sunroofs and various other car parts, including bullet-proof glass, contain INEOS’ molecules.

Products made from phenol and acetone are in everything from flat screen TVs to iPhones, and are used in bath, hair and skin care products to kill micro-organisms, reduce body odour and cleanse the skin.

Phenol is also the key raw material for nylon intermediates used in engineered thermoplastics and carpeting, and acetone is used in nail polishes, as well as nail polish removers.