Asian partners mull building Ohio ethane cracker

Gov. John R. Kasich announced that PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), Thailand's largest integrated petrochemical and refining company, and its project partner, Marubeni Corp., a Japan-based company, have selected a site in Belmont County, Ohio, for the possible construction of a world-scale ethane cracker.

With a site now selected, PTTGC and Marubeni will take the next 12-to-16 months to complete the detailed engineering design and permitting at the Ohio site.

For nearly two years, PTTGC and Marubeni have considered project sites across the Utica and Marcellus shale region. JobsOhio, the private, non-profit corporation designed to drive job creation and capital investment in Ohio, has worked with the companies throughout this time and led the effort to move this project forward in Ohio.

"Ohio is at the center of America's new energy industry, and the smart companies want to come here to be part of the great things that are happening. We are one step closer to landing a new, multi-billion dollar investment in eastern Ohio, and that's exciting news for our state, the region and Belmont County," said Kasich.

If constructed, the ethane cracker would use ethane extracted from the region's Marcellus and Utica Shale formations in the production of ethylene, which is used as a basis for plastics and resins.

"Working with JobsOhio and the state over the past two years has been a positive experience and we look forward to moving this project into the next phase," said Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, executive vice president of international business relations for PTTGC. "While we have not yet made final decisions on this investment, we will continue to work with Governor Kasich, JobsOhio and all of the local partners in an effort to make our vision a reality."

PTTGC and Marubeni are expected to make a final investment decision in 2016. Should the project move forward, the construction of the ethane cracker facility would take an estimated three-and-a-half years to complete.