ExxonMobil said Tuesday that it is investing £140 million ($174.7 million) to upgrade infrastructure and add new technologies to its ethylene plant in Mossmorran, Fife, Scotland to boost the performance and reliability of the site.
“These planned investments demonstrate our commitment to long-term reliable operations at the site,” Jacob McAlister, plant manager of the Fife site, said in a company press release. “While already one of the most modern plants of its kind in Europe, we are always looking for ways to improve reliability and efficiency through continued maintenance and investment in new technologies. Fire has a long-term future as a competitive asset, contributing to both the local and national economies.”
The company plans to install equipment for flaring, including a new flare tip to reduce noise and vibration.
“We are committed to the highest operational and regulatory standards,” McAlister said. “This investment further contributes to the local economy and across Scotland through job creation and procurement contracts.”
The Fife ethylene plant began operations in 1985 and has a production capacity of over 800,000 tonnes of ethylene a year. Over the last 30 years, it has been a major employer in the area, currently employing over 270 employees and core contractors, with more than 60 percent living within 10 miles of the plant.
ExxonMobil announced a £800 million ($1004 million) investment to expand its Fawley refinery and petrochemical plant in April and the firm completed a £75 million ($94 million) project to increase capacity at its Newport, Wales advanced elastomers plant this May.
