The company said its “ambitious initiative” will safeguard the reliable supply of high-quality insulation and semiconductive materials in the long term, particularly those required to support global offshore wind and interconnector projects.

Production will be increased for XLPE in Stenungsund, Sweden, and for semiconductive compounds in Antwerp, Belgium. Borealis did not give any capacity figures or say when the extra output would be available.

In the US, extra PE capacity that is due onstream at the Baystar joint venture with TotalEnergies in Texas will enable Borealis to better fulfil growing demand for fiber optic and power cable jacketing in North, Central and South America. Construction of the 625,000 t/y Borstar PE plant started in 2020 and completion is due this year.

Borealis has also nearly finished evaluating an expansion of XLPE production in Port Murray, New Jersey, USA. Once the project is deemed feasible, the company plans to invest a “significant” sum to expand output to serve steadily growing demand for medium voltage power cables in the Americas. Capacity at the plant would increase by 10,000 t/y to 42,000 t/y by 2024.

Describing the investment plans as “remarkable,” global commercial director energy Bart Verheule said: “Our growth projects are expanding our global asset footprint, yet they actually bring us closer to our local and regional customers,” adding that through the increased capacity Borealis can provide more support to customers in the execution of major infrastructure projects.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist