| Borealis A/S, Denmark, a leading supplier of high-quality polyolefin plastics, has recently announced a Euro 200 million investment in the construction of a new 350,000 tonnes per year polyethylene plant, based on its proprietary Borstar� technology. This investment also includes a 90,000 tonnes per year expansion of the existing Borstar� polypropylene plant at its petrochemical site in Austria. The new capacity will come on-stream in 2005. �This investment is a major milestone in the implementation of our strategy of becoming a leading, integrated polyolefins supplier. It establishes the Austrian plant as a world class competitive site with an annual polyolefin capacity of around 1 million tonnes, located in the centre of Europe�, commented Mr John Taylor, Borealis chief executive.
When the new Borstar polyethylene plant is onstream, Borealis will phase out two old LDPE lines and a HDPE line at the production site in Austria, resulting in a net capacity increase of around 150,000 tonnes polyethylene per year. Borealis� expansion plans are closely linked to OMV�s expansion, a major supplying company of olefins and a 25% shareholder of Borealis. �The new Borstar polyethylene plant will enable us to capture the growing demand for linear low-density polyethylene for enhanced, differentiated film products for flexible consumer packaging and industrial applications�, commented Mr David Rolph, executive vice-president, Borealis Polyolefins Business Group. �The advantages of the bimodal Borstar technology are well recognised and provide our customers with the benefits of material savings while maintaining excellent mechanical properties and good processability�.
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