18 Mar 2025
Joint venture site in Maasvlakte produces propylene oxide and styrene monomers (POSM)
Leverkusen, Germany – LyondellBasell and Covestro have decided to permanently close the propylene oxide / styrene monomer (POSM) production unit (PO11) at their joint venture Maasvlakte site in The Netherlands.
This decision was made “after thorough and careful consideration and is driven by the continued pressure on Maasvlakte's profitability,” said Covestro in an 18 March statement.
The Dutch site’s profitability, explained Covestro, has been weak due to “global overcapacities, a strong increase of imports from Asia and high costs of European production.”
The situation, said the German-based supplier, is “expected to continue, so longer-term profitable production is not anticipated.”
The Maasvlakte site, which has been operational since 2003, will be shut down between now and 2026, Covestro stated.
The move follows a strategic review by LyondellBasell of its olefins & polyolefins (O&P) and intermediates & derivatives (I&D) business units in Europe.
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