Page 21 - Plastics News May 2018

CompAny news

SABIC and ExxonMobil in a JV Dell wants 'open source' solution

for Advance Gulf Coast Project to ocean debris

ABIC and ExxonMobil have created a new joint venture ell Technologies Inc., the computer and electronics
Sto advance development of the Gulf Coast Growth Dcompany, has earned notice for its commitment to
Ventures project, a 1.8 million tonne ethane cracker use recycled ocean-bound plastics in its new products.
currently planned for construction in San Patricio County, Dell already has used some 16,000 pounds of plastic
Texas. The facility will also include a monoethylene glycol collected from the environment that was in danger
unit and two polyethylene units. of entering the oceans. The company wants to use 10
times that much in the years ahead. Dell's first major
use of such material is packaging trays for its XPS 13
notebook computer. Campbell hopes for a day when
ocean plastics are used in many more of the company's
products. The hot button issue of plastic ocean pollution
has captured the attention of environmentalists,
businesses and communities alike. Alarming statistics
warning about the amount of plastic that finds its way
into the ocean every day — 8 million tons per year by
one respected estimate — gives people a relatable
“We are very pleased to announce the creation of what yardstick by which to conceptualize the issue. It's with
is now planned to be the third joint venture between this backdrop that folks at Dell believe that finding a
our two companies,” said SABIC vice chairman and CEO solution should include an "open source" approach that
Yousef Al-Benyan. “We look forward to the next phase of includes input and information sharing among partners.
the project, which supports not only our goals for global It's kind of like those software development efforts
diversification, but also supports Saudi Vision 2030. In that allow many people to contribute and then share
addition, we are proud of the role the project will play in the benefits. To that end, the company is part of a
in enhancing the economic profile of San Patricio County, consortium called NextWave that's aimed at the issue.
Texas,” Al-Benyan stated. SABIC is the operating partner Campbell said
for two long-standing joint ventures with ExxonMobil in there is plenty
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kemya in Jubail and Yanpet of room for other
in Yanbu. Creation of the new joint venture represents a companies to join
key milestone that allows the two companies to continue and contribute.
advancing the project, which is expected to create 600 Other founding
new, permanent jobs, about 3,500 indirect and induced compan ies in
jobs during operations, as well as 6,000 construction NextWave include
jobs during the peak of construction. “The new joint General Motors,
venture expands our long relationship with SABIC and furniture maker
builds on the success of several other joint projects,” Herman Miller and flooring maker Interface Inc. Dell's
said John Verity, president of the ExxonMobil Chemical original project to capture ocean plastics involved
Company. “The project will create value not only for both collection efforts in Haiti, but the company plans to
of our companies, but for the surrounding communities move future collection to Indonesia as the economics
through the creation of jobs and economic growth. We of collecting material there are much more favorable.
appreciate the support we’re receiving, and look forward That's important because Dell wants to prove these
to continuing our conversations with San Patricio County kinds of efforts are economically feasible and not just
residents and businesses as we progress.”Construction of a feel-good effort that will collapse under financial
the project, announced in 2016, is pending completion pressure. Research by the company shows that plastic
of the environmental permitting process. The plant is collection in Indonesia that leads to reuse in Dell
expected to be operational in the 2021-2022 timeframe. products can be cost-competitive to virgin resin.

21 May 2018 Plastics News