Belgium – A.P. Moller Holding has founded a new company to produce polypropylene and polyethylene from green methanol. The new company, Vioneo, has developed a production method for this purpose, which it plans to implement in a first plant in Antwerp.
The construction of the new plant involves an investment of some €1.5 billion. A.P Moller says that the final investment decision will be made when there is broad support from all stakeholders. The company points to legislation, the investment climate and energy costs in Europe. It also wants to make long-term agreements with customers. Vioneo is in advanced talks with leading brands from different sectors, including healthcare, automotive and so on.
Vioneo will start the FEED study for the Antwerp plant in the fourth quarter of this year. The company expects to make a final investment decision in 2025. Commercial production could begin in 2028.
The Antwerp plant will have a capacity of 300,000 tons per year. Vioneo wants to realize the plant on the Vopak Energy Park Antwerp. The company is working together with Vopak Belgium and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. It is estimated that the construction phase will generate significant employment and about 250 permanent jobs once the plant is fully operational.
