Oxea, a manufacturer of Oxo chemicals, has started construction of a propanol unit at its production site at Bay City, Texas.

Bay City, Texas, plantThe new unit “Propanol 2” is scheduled to come on stream in 2018. Once commissioned, it will add a capacity of 100,000 mt/year of propanol and 40,000 mt/year of propionaldehyde. Propanol is used to manufacture products mainly ending up in printing inks, coatings, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals applications.

Propionaldehyde finds uses in pharmaceutical applications and the production of food preservatives, plasticizers, plastics, and rubber chemicals.

Site preparation, including demolition of existing foundations from previously retired equipment, and the construction of temporary project facilities has been completed. Current activities are focused on starting the execution of civil construction and completing the bid processes for the remaining construction work, primarily mechanical, and instrumentation and electrical.

Oxea awarded the construction management contract to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. Jacobs’ services include delivering pre-construction planning and construction management services.