Shell Nederland Raffinaderij B.V. (Pernis, the Netherlands; www.shell.com) formally marked the start-up of a new aromatics unit at the large Pernis petroleum refinery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Lori Ryerkerk, executive vice president for Shell’s global Manufacturing business says, “Construction of this new heart cut splitter at Pernis was completed several months ahead of schedule. The investment demonstrates the focus on competitiveness and flexibility at our sites.”
Benzene from the new unit goes to the Shell chemicals site at Moerdijk, 35 km away. There it is processed to produce styrene monomer, which is used by industrial customers in the manufacture of packaging, food and drink containers, tires and computers. “This additional unit also showcases Shell’s refining-chemicals integration, Lori continued. “We are growing our profitable chemicals business in Europe using our own feedstock.”