By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : March 09, 2026 4:32 pm
The annual production capacities will be increased by 625,000 tons for ethylene, 500,000 tons for VCM and 310,000 tons for caustic soda
Shin-Etsu Chemical is investing $3.4 billion to boost its U.S. subsidiary Shintech Inc.'s integrated production, building a second ethylene unit and fourth vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)/chlor-alkali plants in Plaquemine, Louisiana, by 2030.
This expansion secures feedstock for PVC production, strengthening Shintech's global market position while they continue evaluating future PVC demand.
The annual production capacities will be increased by 625,000 tons for ethylene, 500,000 tons for VCM and 310,000 tons for caustic soda. The completion of the construction is slated toward the end of 2030.
The worldwide demand for PVC is expected to increase by an average of 750,000 plus tons per year over next five years. As for caustic soda, the worldwide demand is expected to increase by an average of 1,300,000 plus tons per year over next five years.
Demand for PVC will grow as it greatly contributes to both environmental impact reduction efforts and infrastructure building for human life and society. Demand for caustic will grow as it will not only serve diverse needs in daily human life but also serve new applications in batteries, critical mineral productions and so on.
By leveraging favorable raw material availability and economy of scale, Shintech will further expand and enhance business relationships with customers in the United States and around the world, which Shintech has cultivated with meticulous care and service.
In the U.S., where environmental regulations have been more stringent, Shintech uses its best in class latest technologies to meet environmental requirements. It has established good relationships with both the state and local governments, and gained strong support and understanding from local communities.