Basell Australia Pty Ltd, a company of LyondellBasell Industries, has been inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame in May 2008 for its outstanding contributions to sustained manufacturing excellence over many years. The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards Program was established by the Victorian Government in 2001 to recognise the achievements of local manufacturers in their pursuit of excellence.

Since 1979, LyondellBasell has been manufacturing plastics and chemicals in Victoria, Australia and has been exporting high quality products to numerous countries around the world from its Geelong polypropylene plant.

In 2006, LyondellBasell completed an AU$150 million, five year multi-phase reinvestment and technical upgrade of its Geelong manufacturing site. The expansion increased overall plant capacity from 70 KT to 130 KT per year. In addition, the site’s new Propylene Separation Unit achieved an 85% reduction in its energy requirements. The company maintains good communications with the local Geelong community, which was consulted throughout the redevelopment process.

The successful completion and commissioning of the Geelong plant expansion project earned the company the 2007 Chemicals Industry Sustainability Award by the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association Inc. (PACIA).

In April, Basell Australia Pty Ltd, became the first plastics manufacturer in Australia to sign a Sustainability Covenant with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA Victoria) and the PACIA.

“We operate our facilities with a focus on protecting the health and safety of our employees and contractors, and with a commitment to safeguarding our local communities and environment,” said David Stannard, Basell Australia’s Geelong Site Manager. “We also plan to implement additional site improvements to increase capacity and improve product quality, reliability and supply continuity.”