Dutch chemical and refining giant LyondellBasell (LBI, Rotterdam; www.lyondellbasell.com) has recently signed a 10-year agreement with Oiltanking Stolthaven Antwerp (Antwerp / Belgium; www.oiltanking.com) for the storage and handling of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). As part of the agreement, Oiltanking Stolthaven will invest in new stainless steel storage capacity and rail loading infrastructure at Antwerp. No further details regarding costs, storage capacities or timelines were provided

The news coincides with the announcement that Ineos (Rolle / Switzerland; www.ineos.com) was shuttering its VAM production at its UK site in Hull – see Plasteurope.com of 07.10.2013. The reason given was the site's ability to compete effectively, having lost several large contracts in the last few years.