Oxiteno starts up surfactants plant in US

Oxiteno started up an alkoxylation plant in Pasadena, Texas, the Brazilian surfactants producer said on Tuesday. The plant has a capacity of 170,000 tonnes/year, the company said. It will produce a wide range of nonionic surfactants and specialty alkoxylates. The products will be sold to markets such as agrochemicals, home care, industrial and institutional cleaning, personal care, oilfield chemicals, paints, and coatings. The company bought the site back in 2012 for $15m from Pasadena Property. It had previously been owned by the company Old World Industries. The project took more than six years and represents an investment of $200m, Oxiteno said. “The start-up of our new alkoxylation plant in Texas is a key accomplishment in our journey to become a leading supplier of surfactants and specialty alkoxylates to the US and global customers,” said Timothy Madden, a chief operating officer of Oxiteno in the US.