BASF awards EPCM work to Fluor for revamp of Texas chemicals plant

Global chemicals major BASF awarded Fluor an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the revamp of an alcohol and plasticizers facility in Pasadena, Texas, officials announced on Friday.

Fluor booked the undisclosed contract value in the fourth quarter of 2015.

“Fluor has supported BASF with construction management services for many years in Europe and Asia, and we are excited to now deliver an integrated engineering, procurement and construction-driven solutions approach to BASF in North America,” said Jim Brittain, president of Fluor’s energy and chemicals business line in the Americas region. 

“We will leverage our US Gulf Coast construction experience to meet this project’s schedule goals, while delivering a capital-efficient solution that strengthens BASF’s position in the plasticizers market.”

Fluor will convert the general-purpose plasticizer units to Palatinol DOTP (diethylhexyl terephthalate). This Palatinol DOTP unit will be BASF’s first in North America. The plasticizer is used in numerous products, including vinyl film, flooring, coated fabrics and wire and cable coatings.

In addition, Fluor will convert another unit to provide raw material for the Palatinol DOTP unit. 

Fluor previously completed front-end engineering and design for the project under its North America partnership agreement with BASF and is executing the EPCM under the recent global engineering services agreement.

Facility start-up is scheduled for early 2017.