News and media releases

First start-up of Shell OMEGA process plant

16/06/2008

Shell is delighted to announce the first start-up using its new Shell OMEGA (Only Mono-Ethylene Glycol Advanced) process technology.

Shell is delighted to announce the first start-up using its new Shell OMEGA (Only Mono-Ethylene Glycol Advanced) process technology. This process uses catalytic conversion of ethylene oxide to monoethylene glycol (MEG) as opposed to the traditional thermal conversion approach. The start-up took place at Lotte Daesan's chemical manufacturing facility in Daesan, Korea on 21 May. The start-up was a success with no major problems encountered.

"I am very pleased to see Shell Global Solutions' new OMEGA technology up and running in a commercial unit. This is the culmination of considerable research and development over many years and it is excellent to see the value this offers our customers. The fact that the Lotte 400 kta MEG plant, which is based on new first-of-its-kind Shell OMEGA technology, was started up within a week of its scheduled start-up date is a major achievement and demonstrates the professionalism of Lotte and all other parties involved," commented Ben Ramakers, Global Manager Ethylene Oxide and Derivatives Technology, Shell Global Solutions.

"The fast and smooth start-up of the Lotte 400 kta MEG plant based on Shell OMEGA technology reflects the excellent preparation by Lotte Daesan Petrochemical and Shell for this project and demonstrates Lotte's commitment to exploiting leading technology at our operations," said Hokyung Lee, Project Manager of Lotte Petrochemical Company.