BASF Total Petrochemicals, a 60:40 joint venture of BASF and French oil and petrochemicals group Total, has started up a tenth furnace at its Port Arthur, Texas, steam cracker.

The additional furnace, said to increase nameplate ethylene capacity to more than 1 million t/y, improves feedstock flexibility, enhances plant reliability, and enhances the jv's commitment to Port Arthur, the partners said.

In 2013, the Texas cracker was converted to run on light-feed ethane derived from U.S. shale gas.

"These recent investments in the steam cracker allow the plant to produce more than 85% of its ethylene based on cost advantaged feedstocks," said Philippe Doligez, senior vice president for Total Refining & Petrochemicals Americas. "Along with increased capacity, the new furnace reinforces the availability of the plant," he added.