Post-merger adjustment continues at BP Amoco (1 Finsbury Circus, GB-London EC2M 7BA). The petrochemical giant has announced far-reaching plans to restructure its styrene-related activities in Europe. Since the January 1998 acquisition of Styrenix from Hüls, which made it the region´s second largest polystyrene producer, BP Amoco has reduced costs by more than EUR 15m. Next step is the planned September closure of styrene monomer production at Baglan Bay in Wales. The slack will be taken up by Shell´s start-up of a new SM/PO complex at Moerdijk (NL), from which BP Amoco draws supplies under a 1997 contract.

The recently merged British-American group also plans to shut down three EPS plants at Wingles (F) following start-up of a new line. An older styrene polymerisation plant is also scheduled to be replaced by a new 85,000 t/y reactor. Revamping is on the agenda for production facilities at Marl (D) and Trelleborg (S). The group´s goal is to reduce costs by 30% and to double productivity by the end of 2000 against the beginning of 1998.