LyondellBasell to shut HDPE unit in Germany as its restructures operations

LyondellBasell will shut down its 1,00,000-tonnes per year high density polyethylene (HDPE) unit in Wesseling, Germany, its least efficient unit in Europe, in the third quarter of 2013, as the company restructures its European operations.

LyondellBasell said it would still have sufficient HDPE capacity to meet customer needs from its larger scale facilities.

"LyondellBasell continues to take definitive steps to reorganise our operations in Europe to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the competitiveness of our businesses," said Bob Patel, senior vice president, olefins and polyolefins, Europe, Asia and International. 

"The closure of under-competitive assets, along with the restructuring and efficiency-improvement initiatives in our business areas, manufacturing and R&D, will better position LyondellBasell to compete in today's economic environment."

LyondellBasell is the largest producer of both polyethylene and polypropylene in Europe. The company has shuttered about 2.5 billion pounds of capacity in Europe in recent years and reduced headcount in business areas by 30 per cent.

LyondellBasell, one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries.

Its products and technologies are used to make a variety of items, including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.