Aster Chemicals & Energy has taken Final Investment Decision to move ahead with an $80 million expansion project aimed at significantly boosting ethylene export capacity at its Ethylene Cracker Complex in Singapore.

 

The project—awarded across multiple engineering and construction partners including Toyo Engineering Corporation and UTOC Engineering Pte Ltd—will add a parallel ethylene chiller system and expand outbound export logistics at Bukom. Completion is targeted for 2027.

 

Once delivered, the upgrade is expected to double Bukom’s ethylene export capacity, tightening operational integration between Bukom and the Chandra Asri cracker facility in Cilegon and reinforcing the broader C2 derivatives value chain across both sites. It also strengthens Singapore’s position as a key petrochemical export hub in the region.

 

The scope of work includes detailed engineering, procurement, and construction for major infrastructure upgrades supporting higher-volume ethylene handling and export operations.

 

Toyo Engineering Corporation and UTOC Engineering were selected for their technical strength and execution capability in complex industrial environments, as well as their role in supporting skilled employment and specialist engineering activity in Singapore.

 

Mashhad Dohadwala, Aster's Director for Projects & Technology, said, "Awarding these contracts moves us firmly into the delivery phase of our vision to build greater ethylene export capacity, stronger supply reliability, and deeper integration across our value chain. 

 

"As demand for ethylene grows in Asia, Singapore's ability to serve as a dependable, high-capacity export origin matters – commercially for our customers, and strategically for Singapore within the global energy and chemicals network. Toyo and UTOC are the right partners to help us realise that."

 

Eiji Sakata, Toyo’s Senior Executive Officer, Unit Director of Business Development and Marketing Unit, said, “We are honored to have been awarded the Ethylene Chiller Unit Revamp Project, which plays a key role in Aster’s initiative to expand its ethylene export capacity. 

 

"Building on our extensive experience with the existing plant, we are committed to delivering reliable and high-quality execution to support the successful realization of this project. Through this project, we aim to contribute to enhancing ethylene export capability and further strengthening our partnership with Aster.”

 

Kelvin Yeo, UTOC’s Senior Director, said, “We are deeply honored to be awarded this contract, and the opportunity to establish even greater collaboration between Aster and UTOC. 

 

"We are fully committed to delivering beyond expectations, in areas of safety, quality and project execution. While we expect challenges in this ever-changing landscape, with the right partnership, we are well-positioned to ride the waves and look forward to achieving immense success together.”