Brazil firm Oxiteno to build US alkoxylation plant

OREANDA-NEWS. November 09, 2015. Brazilian surfactants and specialty chemicals producer Oxiteno will invest \\$113mn to build a new alkoxylation plant in Pasadena, Texas.

The plant is scheduled to begin operating in the fourth quarter of 2017 and will have production capacity of roughly 170,000 t/yr of alkoxylates.

The plant will be adjacent to Oxiteno's existing plant, which produces amphoteric surfactants and esters. Oxiteno acquired this plant in 2013.

Oxiteno, which is owned by Brazil's Ultrapar, has been expanding its reach beyond its home market since 2003, when it made its first acquisition in Mexico. The company also has operations in Venezuela and Uruguay.

Production from the new plant will be targeted to the North American market.