Foster Wheeler to Build Celanese Plant in Singapore

Celanese, a member of the Frankfurt-based Hoechst Group, has awarded a contract to Foster Wheeler USA Corporation (Clinton, NJ) for a world-scale acetic acid facility to be built in Singapore, company officials recently announced.

The new, 100,000 mta esters plant plant, which is already under construction and is scheduled for start-up in January 2000, will be located in Palau Sakra, adjacent to the Celanese vinyl acetate monomer facility. In addition to acetic acid, it will include facilities for the production of acetate esters (butyls, propyls, and ethyl acetate).

Acetate esters are primarily used as solvents for various resins in protective coatings and for formulating inks. In addition, they are used for solvents in the production of adhesives and pharmaceuticals.

Celanese, is a world leader in the production of commodity chemicals and acetate products.

Foster Wheeler Corporation is a global company offering a broad range of design, engineering, construction, manufacturing, project development and management, research, plant operations and environmental services.

For more information: Harry Levy, Foster Wheeler Corporation. Tel: 908-730-4448.