Westlake Corporation

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Westlake Corporation is an international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated building products, which are fundamental to various consumer and industrial markets.[2] The company was founded by Ting Tsung Chao in 1986.[3] it is the largest producer of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in the US and ranks among the Forbes Global 2000.[4][5] Westlake Chemical operates in two segments: Olefins and Vinyls, and is also an integrated producer of vinyls, with substantial downstream integration into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) building products.[6]

Westlake Corporation
FormerlyWestlake Chemical Corporation
Company typePublic company
Industry
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986)
FounderTing Tsung Chao
HeadquartersHouston, Texas, U.S.
Key people
Albert Chao
(President and CEO)
RevenueIncrease US$15.794 billion (2022)[1]
3,050,000,000 United States dollar (2022) Edit this on Wikidata
Increase US$2.247 billion (2022)
Total assetsIncrease US$20.550 billion (2022)
Total equityIncrease US$10.465 billion (2022)
Number of employees
15,920 (December 31, 2022)
Websitewestlake.com


Facilities

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In 2014, Westlake made a significant expansion in their ethylene production facilities in Sulphur, Louisiana.[7] In 2014, Westlake acquired the German polyvinyl chloride manufacturer Vinnolit.[8]

In 2016, Westlake acquired U.S. chlor-alkali producer Axiall Corporation for US$3.8 billion.[9]

In June 2021, Westlake purchased the United States building products business of Boral for $2.2 billion.[10][11] In 2022, W. took over Hexion's epoxy division.[12]

Safety Incidents

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In September 2021, an explosion at a Westlake ethylene plant in Sulphur, Louisiana injured 6 workers. In January 2022, an ethylene dichloride tank exploded at a Westlake facility in Westlake, Louisiana injuring 6 workers and triggering a Shelter-in-place order.[13]

Westlake facilities in Louisiana have had uncontrolled chemical releases including benzene, chloroform, ethylene dichloride, hydrogen chloride and vinyl chloride.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Financial Statement" (PDF). Westlake. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Westlake Chemical". Fortune. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
  3. ^ Abram, Lynwood (16 March 2008). "Chao, pioneered petrochemical ventures around the world". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  4. ^ "ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies: Westlake Chemical is the ICIS Company of the Year". ICIS. September 30, 2013.
  5. ^ "The World's Biggest Public Companies". Forbes.
  6. ^ Editorial, Reuters. "${Instrument_CompanyName} ${Instrument_Ric} Company Profile | Reuters.com". U.S. Retrieved 2019-08-06. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Larino, Jennifer (23 October 2014). "Westlake Chemical to spend $330 million on ethylene plant expansion in Sulphur". Times-Picayune. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Merger proves the right formula for Westlake Chemical - HoustonChronicle.com". www.houstonchronicle.com. 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  9. ^ "Merger proves the right formula for Westlake Chemical - HoustonChronicle.com". www.houstonchronicle.com. 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  10. ^ Boral agrees to sell its North American building products business Boral June 21, 2021
  11. ^ "Westlake Buys Boral's Building Products Arm for $2.2 Billion". Bloomberg News.
  12. ^ "Westlake Chemical completes Hexion epoxy business acquisition". CompositesWorld, published 2/4/2022.
  13. ^ Askelson, Kristin (26 January 2022). "At least six people injured in Westlake Chemical plant explosion". The Acadiana Advocate. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  14. ^ Mitchell, David (10 March 2019). "A detailed look at Westlake Chemical plant in Geismar's string of accidental leaks". The Acadiana Advocate. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
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  • Official website
  • Business data for Westlake Corporation: