Germany-based Oxea has begun detailed engineering on its new propanol plant at Bay City, Texas, in the US, which is scheduled to go on stream at the end of 2017. The company said key elements of the engineering are also suitable for use in the Asian platform it is building up at Duqm, Oman.

The new propanol plant in North America not only reflects Oxea’s strategy for business growth and efficiency improvement, said CEO Martina Flöel. “It also underscores our confidence in the growth of the US petrochemical market and supports our engagement in North and South America.”

Flöel, who also has responsibility for production and technology at Oxea, added that the investment also reflects the rising demand for propanol from customers in the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, printing inks, paints and adhesives industry. The company is also a leading supplier of oxo products such as alcohols, aldehydes and acids.