OQ Chemicals Achieves Mechanical Completion for Röhm's MMA Plant Infrastructure in Bay City

In a notable development, OQ Chemicals has achieved mechanical completion in its 'Propel' project, abbreviated from 'Propyls Elevated', at its Bay City, TX, production site. This initiative stands as a pivotal component of OQ Chemicals' strategy aimed at broadening its array of applications. The project encompasses crucial infrastructure and services, including the production of high-purity propionaldehyde, a significant raw material. Furthermore, it facilitates the functioning of Röhm's innovative, globally scaled Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) plant, seamlessly incorporated into the Bay City site. The Propel project was executed according to schedule without any lost time or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable incidents from all entities involved, comprising OQ Chemicals, contractors, and partners.

Markus Heuwes, OQ Chemicals' Project Director, expressed, "This achievement is a testament to the dedication and outstanding collaboration of our OQ Chemicals team, various partners, contractors, and stakeholders, all of whom played instrumental roles in reaching this critical milestone. The project team takes particular pride in the demonstrated safety culture by all parties involved, which was paramount in achieving this exceptional safety performance."

The joint project between Röhm and OQ Chemicals commenced in October 2022. The new plant is the inaugural one to utilize Röhm's proprietary LiMA technology ('Leading in Methacrylates') for Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) production, a vital precursor for various applications such as coatings, adhesives, medical products, and road markings. The LiMA technology establishes new benchmarks in resource efficiency and diminishes environmental impact. Concurrently, OQ Chemicals commenced the construction of essential infrastructure and services crucial for Röhm's plant operation.

Kyle Hendrix, President USA of OQ Chemicals, emphasized, "The achievement of mechanical completion underscores OQ Chemicals' commitment to delivering projects promptly and upholding the highest quality standards. Looking ahead, our attention remains on the concluding stages of the project, encompassing commissioning, testing, and handover. We are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition to operational readiness, enabling our partner to fully realize the potential of their investment."

OQ Chemicals (formerly known as Oxea) is a global manufacturer specializing in Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Performance Chemicals, including alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines. These products play a vital role in the production of premium coatings, lubricants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. With a workforce of over 1,400 employees worldwide, OQ Chemicals distributes its chemicals across more than 60 countries. The company functions as a component of OQ, an integrated energy firm originating from Oman.