Shell announced the final investment decision to increase Alpha Olefins (AO) production at its chemical manufacturing site in Geismar, LA, USA, making the site the largest AO producer in the world. Shell will construct a fourth AO unit, adding 425,000 tonnes of capacity and creating a total capacity of 1.3 million tonnes. Construction of the new unit will begin in the first quarter of 2016. According to the Louisiana Governor B. Jindal, the expansion is a $717 million investment.

The chemical site is used in the production of stronger and lighter polyethylene plastic for packaging and bottles, as well as engine and industrial oils and drilling fluids.

• Shell Chemical LP (Shell), Houston, TX, USA