Oxiteno (São Paulo, Brazil; www.oxiteno.com) a leader in the production of surfactants and specialty chemicals in Latin America, owned by Ultrapar multibusiness company, announced today the expansion of its operations in the U.S. The company is constructing a new alkoxylation unit in Texas. The plant should start operating in the last quarter of 2017 and will have production capacity around 170,000 ton/yr, and estimated total investment of $113 million.
In 2012, Oxiteno acquired its first industrial plant in Texas, that serves as the foundation for the new alkoxylation expansion. The growth plan is part of an ongoing strategy of investing throughout the Americas, which consists of the acquisitions of industrial plants in Mexico in 2003 and 2004, the opening of Oxiteno’s first commercial office in the USA in 2007, and the addition of units in Venezuela and Uruguay, in 2007 and 2012 respectively.
In addition to the new plant, the company will expand the service structure with total focus on the customer. “We will invest in the improvement of our services, expanding our commercial and technical services team, as well as the local Research & Development structure,” says Oxiteno’s CEO, João Parolin.
The new unit will be fully integrated to the company´s activities in North America. With this investment, Oxiteno further expands its portfolio of surfactants and specialty chemicals and its alkoxylation technology with focus on local Agrochemicals, Personal Care, Home Care and I&I , Paints & Coatings, and Oil & Gas markets.
The new plant´s production will be targeted to meet the demand of the North American market.