LyondellBasell recently announced it has officially broken ground on what will reportedly be the largest propylene oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) plant ever built. The Houston area project is estimated to cost $2.4 billion, representing the single-largest capital investment in the company's history. Once in operation, the plant will produce 1 billion lbs (470,000 mt) of PO and 2.2 billion lbs (1 million mt) of TBA annually. Startup of the plant is planned for 2021.

"Today's groundbreaking is a historic moment for our company," said Bob Patel, CEO. "This plant will be the largest of its kind, built to meet the rising global demand for urethanes used by billions of consumers each day and clean-burning oxyfuels that will help improve air quality around the world. The construction of this project will provide jobs for our neighbors, support local businesses and strengthen our communities with increased tax revenues across the greater Houston region. As one of the cornerstones of our global growth strategy, the new plant will strengthen our ties in Houston and generate long-term value for our shareholders."