Westlake to start up new specialty PVC plant in 2026

Market: Petrochemicals
25/02/25

Texas-based polyvinyl chloride (PVC) producer Westlake plans to start up a new molecular-oriented PVC plant next year, the company said in its fourth-quarter earnings call.

The plant, originally announced in May 2024, is an expansion of its facility in Wichita Falls, Texas. The project will add four production lines to Westlake's existing molecular-oriented PVC production, although the company did not specify its capacity for the new plant or its total capacity for the specialty PVC.

Molecular-oriented PVC uses the same materials as standard PVC but has been molecularly stretched to improve tensile-strength, allowing for thinner-walled pipe that has the same pressure capacity as its thicker PVC counterpart. By using less PVC, molecular-oriented PVC also has a reduced environmental footprint.

Westlake said it would use the new production to support greater adoption in the municipal pipe sector.

By Aaron May

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