According to a May 17 news release, the company plans to bring the expansion online in the second half of 2014, in conjunction with a scheduled maintenance turn-around. That follows the successful conclusion of a recent feasibility study.

This expansion will not only significantly increase the manufacturing capacity of the site and make for more efficient manufacturing processes, it will also enable Oxea to add new products to the portfolio in the future, the company stated.

The company is a leading merchant supplier of oxo products, including aldehydes, alcohols and acids. According to Oxeas web site, the Bay City plant produces chemicals such as oxo-alcohols, carboxylic acids and acetate esters, primarily for the North and South American markets. Carboxylic acids are used for manufacturing energy-efficient lubricant esters for refrigeration units such as air conditioners and refrigerators, among other uses.

Our investment into this important expansion project reinforces our commitment to the North and Latin American markets as some of the worlds most important industrial regions, said Martina Floel, spokesman for the Oxea executive board.