Nova Chemicals is resuming construction activities at its new polyethylene plant and the cracker expansion project in a phased manner.
The company said it has slowly increased the number of employees engaged in the construction of the Corunna site starting Thursday, April 16.
Late last month Nova Chemicals announced that most of the construction workers at the Corunna site were being sent home to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 exposure. The company said in an updated statement on 15th, April it plans to restart some construction activities on both projects in a secure and steady manner.
“In keeping with Ontario government directives for significant industrial petrochemical projects and our company’s foundational principles and core values, Nova Chemicals has taken significant steps to maintain the health and safety of our employees, contractors and community,” the statement said.
Nova Chemicals President and CEO Todd Karran said many of them are working from home until future notice but they have site-critical employees and contractors working at their manufacturing locations and construction projects.
“I continue to be impressed by the resiliency and dedication of our workforce and I’m confident that together we are taking the necessary precautions to keep our people safe,” said Karran. “With a strong commitment to social distancing and working responsibly, we can do our part to flatten the curve.”
Nova Chemicals is constructing a new polyethylene plant at its new site adjacent to the current Corunna plant in Rokeby Street. The Corunna cracker is being expanded to supply additional ethylene feedstock.
The start-up of the expanded facilities, costing approximately $2.2 billion, was initially targeted for late 2021.