Nova Chemicals (Calgary, Alberta / Canada; www.novachem.com) has begun feasibility studies and engineering work for two new world-scale PE plants at its sites in Canada’s Alberta and Ontario provinces. The company said the new plants, which will use Nova’s proprietary technology, are designed to supply “growing North American demand” and are part of its strategy to “capitalise on emerging feedstock opportunities.” An LLDPE plant at Mooretown, Ontario, will be debottlenecked. Capacity numbers have not been disclosed.

The feasibility and engineering studies are due to be completed by mid-2012, with the new capacity scheduled to come on stream between late 2014 and 2017. One of the new facilities will use Nova’s “Sclairtech” technology, which allows production of octane monomer-based LLDPE and HDPE. A second plant will use the “Novapol” process to produce LLDPE.

To support the PE expansions, additional ethylene supply will be leveraged through the “increased utilisation” of the cracker at Joffre, Alberta, and through expansion of the cracker at Corunna, Ontario. Nova said it will use feedstock from a variety of sources, including shale oil and shale gas fields, oil sand upgrading projects as well as through the enhanced use of conventional ethane extraction capacity. It added that plans for conversion of the Corunna cracker are “progressing well,” with full NGL feed capability to be achieved by the end of 2013.

The Canadian plastics producer said its owner, International Petrochemical Investment Company (IPIC, Abu Dhabi / UAE; www.ipic.ae) “fully supports” the plans that will enhance the company’s “leading technology and market position.” Nova was acquired by IPIC through a friendly takeover bid in 2009 – see Plasteurope.com of 09.07.2009 and 25.02.2009.The UAE holding also is a majority shareholder in Borealis (Vienna / Austria; www.borealisgroup.com).