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Media Contacts
Media Contacts U.S.
Celanese Corporation
1601 West LBJ
Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75234-6034
U.S.A.
W.
Travis Jacobsen
Phone +1-972-443-3750
Fax +1-972-443-8519
William.Jacobsen@celanese.com
Media
Contact Asia
Phoebe Li
Phone:
+86 21 3861 9289
Fax : +86 21 3861 9577
Phoebe.Li@celanese.com.cn
Media
Contacts Europe
Jens
Kurth
Phone +49 (0) 6107 772 1574
Fax +49-(0)
6107 772 7231
J.Kurth@celanese.com
| Jun 10, 2002 11:18:00 | News Release issued by Ticona |
|
Ticona Completes 30,000 Ton Plant for GURŪ Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Bishop, Texas | ||
| New Plant to Meet Increased Demand, Provide Manufacturing Efficiencies | ||
Summit, NJ; Frankfurt, Germany, June 7, 2002 – Ticona, a business of Celanese AG (NYSE: CZ; FSE: CZZ), today announced completion of its new 30,000 metric tons/year (approx. 60 million lbs/year), $50-million plant at Bishop, TX, to manufacture GUR® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE). Startup of the new GUR plant is set for early July this year. As previously announced, the new plant doubles the company's GUR capacity in North America and will replace its existing GUR plant in Bayport, TX. Ticona, the world's leading producer of UHMW-PE, also operates a GUR plant in Oberhausen, Germany. When the new Bishop plant begins operation, the company's total GUR capacity will be about 60,000 metric tons/year (approx. 120 million lbs/year). Bob Engle, Ticona's Global GUR Business Director, said, "This new plant will meet growing market demand for GUR UHMW-PE and further improve our manufacturing efficiencies and product quality. It's exciting to see the new plant ready for startup." Fred Beckmann, project manager, is equally excited, "The project will be on time and within budget due to the extraordinary efforts of many people from several different organizations. Our Project Team consists of professionals from the GUR Business Unit, Bishop Project Engineering, Bishop Maintenance, Mustang Engineering, Mundy Construction, and Epic Corporation. Everyone worked towards the common goal of a safe and successful project." Mustang Engineering Corp., Houston TX, provided field design engineering. Mundy Construction, Inc., Houston, was responsible for civil and mechanical construction services. Epic Corporation, Baton Rouge LA, was the contractor for electrical and instrumentation systems at the new GUR Bishop plant. About GUR® UHMW-PE GUR® UHMW-PE has an extremely low coefficient of friction and provides outstanding abrasion resistance and toughness. It is often used in demanding material handling applications in bottling machines, papermaking equipment, chemicals and other process industries. Typical GUR applications include bulk containers, truck linings, conveyor chain guides, marine dock fenders, automotive battery separators, pump housings, and ski and snowboard bottoms. GUR is also used to produce porous products for writing instruments, air and water filters for industrial and residential use, and wear resistant and texturing additives for thermoplastics, elastomers, paints and coatings. Information about GUR ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is available by telephoning Ticona in the U.S. at 1-800-833-4882 or in Germany at +49-(0)180-584-2662. Or visit http://www.ticona.com. Ticona and Celanese at Bishop, Texas Ticona President Stefan Sommer noted, "The Bishop Plant has been part of the Celanese family for more than 50 years, and has a track record for product quality, operational efficiency, and commitment to protecting the environment." "With the GUR addition," Sommer said, "the Bishop Plant soon will produce two of the three engineering thermoplastics where Ticona holds market leadership positions." In addition to GUR® UHMW-PE, the other market-leading Ticona product made at Bishop is Celcon® acetal copolymer. Ticona produces its market-leading Vectra® liquid crystal polymer (LCP) in Shelby, NC – also with recently expanded capacity. The Bishop Plant additionally produces and/or compounds Ticona's Celanex® thermoplastic polyester, Celanese® nylon-6/6 engineering thermoplastic, and various chemical products for Celanese Chemicals, the chemicals business of Celanese AG. The latter include methanol, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, 1,3-butylene glycol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, formcels, and sodium formate. Located 35 miles from Corpus Christi, the Bishop plant is one of the larger manufacturing sites for Ticona and Celanese. It is situated on 1,400 acres and employs approximately 575 people. The plant has been recognized as a leader in safety, health, and environmental protection by numerous industry, state, and federal organizations. It is an OSHA Star Site, and the Texas region OSHA office awarded Bishop its "Star of Stars Award," part of its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). In 1999 the plant received the "Best in Texas Safety Award" from the Texas Chemical Council (TCC). Darrell Nordeen, Bishop site manager, summed up, "The new GUR plant marks another important milestone for Bishop employees, Celanese AG, Ticona, and most importantly our customers. In July we will respond to expanded market demand for GUR UHMW-PE with a brand-new plant – a plant created with excellent planning and design, and staffed with many of our most talented people. On time, under budget and on specification – I am proud of what our people are delivering!" | ||
