Total recently announced it has inaugurated the production of the company’s new high-purity special fluids facility in Bayport, Tex, a $100 million investment.

The hydro de-aromatization (HDA) plant, reportedly the second in the world and modeled on a similar facility in France, will produce 40 different high-purity special fluids for customers in industries including coatings, printing inks, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment. With an annual production capacity of 250KT, the facility will also produce synthetic biodegradable fluids for on- and off-shore drilling.

“Our new Bayport operation illustrates Total’s commitment to our business in the U.S.,” said Philippe Boisseau, member of the executive committee of Total and president of marketing and services. “We will work closely with the Total refining facility in Port Arthur, which will provide some of the feedstock required to produce the high purity special fluids our customers want and need, as well as the Total Polyethylene facility at Bayport with whom we share the site.”

For more information, visit www.totalspecialties.com.