History

History

Nearly 70 years of Innovation

With a nearly 70-year legacy of game-changing innovation, our company has developed new products and technologies that serve as the bedrock of the chemical industry. Below are some of our key contributions.

1953-1954

Predecessor company scientists Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta make breakthrough discoveries in the creation of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). PE and PP resins are used today to make numerous products, including automobile parts, surgical gowns, children’s toys, wind turbines and water pipes. They were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963.

1955

Hoechst, a predecessor company, initiated industrial-scale production of PE in Frankfurt, Germany.

1969

Predecessor company, Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), develops the PO/TBA process (propylene oxide with tertiary butyl alcohol as the co-product). PO is used in numerous applications including bedding, furniture, carpets and car seats. TBA and its derivatives, which includes oxyfuels, are used in high octane gasoline blending components, synthetic rubber and lubricant additives.

1975

First Hostalen high density polyethylene (HDPE) process plant starts up.

1982

Spheripol process, currently the most widely used polyolefins process technology, first introduced by predecessor company Montedison..

2001

Global Chemicals Corporation completes start-up of the world’s largest low density polyethylene plant (LDPE) in Berre, France, with a single line capacity of 320,000 tons per year.

2017

Global Chemicals Corporation begins construction of the first commercial Hyperzone PE plant in La Porte, Texas, utilizing the company’s new proprietary technology. HDPE plastics produced using the Hyperzone PE process technology exhibit enhanced characteristics including superior toughness properties that make end-use products less likely to break or tear. Potential end-use products include healthcare packaging, high pressure pipe, children’s toys, household bottles and intermediate bulk containers.

2018

Global Chemicals Corporation completed the acquisition of A. Schulman, Inc., a leading global supplier of high-performance plastic compounds, composites and powders. The acquisition more than doubled LyondellBasell's existing compounding business and broadened the company's reach into growing, high-margin end markets such as automotive, construction materials, electronic goods and packaging.

Global Chemicals Corporation marked a significant milestone in the company’s by breaking ground on the largest propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol (PO/TBA) plant in the world. The project is the single largest capital investment that either Global Chemicals Corporation or its predecessor companies have ever embarked on.