Page 29 - Plastics News September 2017

also increase ethylene capacity within the limits of main RIL becomes the Largest Importer of Ethane from US in
compressors and other critical equipment. 2017
Benefi ts of RIL project Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has become the biggest
importer of Ethane from USA in 2017, followed by INEOS.
RIL: The supply of Ethane to RIL crackers at Dahej,
Hazira and Nagothane will provide feedstock security and RIL will ship around 1.6 million tonnes per annum of ethane
fl exibility, enabling RIL to select the most optimal feed from US for its cracker portfolio in India. RIL has an ethane
mix based on market conditions. This will improve the supply contract in place with Enterprise Product Partners
cost competitiveness of existing crackers and enable RIL out of their Morgan’s Point terminal in the US Gulf coast.
to optimize the portfolio in a volatile market environment. Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) are used to transport
liquefi ed ethane from the US to the Gujarat Chemical Port
US:
Terminal Company Limited terminal at Dahej, Gujarat.
Large capital investments have been made in US in export Ethane will be used as feedstock for RIL’s crackers in
facilities and pipeline infrastructure which will have a Dahej, Hazira and Nagothane.
multiplier effect for US economy growth, help in creation
For 2017 till May, RIL has imported 416 KT of ethane,
of jobs and earn foreign exchange.
amounting to total of 9 VLEC cargoes, which is 19% more
India: than INEOS. Ineos imports ethane from Marcus Hook,

Introduction of ethane will spell major benefi ts for India Pennsylvania and Morgans Point terminal, Houston.
and Indian petrochemical industry. Plastics and polymers Total US exports till May has been about 0.9 Million metric
are integral part of a developing economy like India. tonnes per annum, out of which exports to RIL is about
Ethane is a key feedstock for production of plastics and 48%. Other importers like Ineos, Sabic, Braskem and
will help in producing low cost products. RIL’s Ethane Borealis constitute the remaining 52%.
project shall ensure feedstock security for India, reducing
its net imports.

2017 (in KT) Ineos Sabic Borealis Braskem RIL
Marcus Hook 324 0 0 0 0
Morgans Point 27 73 11 16 416
Total 351 73 11 16 416

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