The Meerhout Polymers Plant started operations in 1977. The plant is located between the Antwerp-Liège Motorway and the Albert Canal. With its two production units, the Meerhout Polymers Plant is one of the largest low density polyethylene (LDPE) manufacturers in Europe.

What We Do

Production at the Meerhout Polymers Plant starts with ethylene gas supplied primarily by the Fife refinery - another ExxonMobil Chemical plant in Europe - and transported by ship to the Esso Refinery in Antwerp, where it is stored in a large tank and pumped through the pipeline to Meerhout.

Here it's converted into polyethylene in high-pressure tubular reactors. Pressure can reach up to 3000 bar. The end product is separated from the non-polymerized ethylene gas at atmospheric pressure. The molten polyethylene is then cooled and leaves the process in the form of one-millimetre plastic granules.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is used in different applications including cable insulation (from simple telephone wires to centimeters thick undersea high-tension cables), films for food and other packaging including plastic bags used in supermarkets

Nice to Know!

Meerhout Polymers Plant has an excellent safety reputation. In 2001 Meerhout had been operating for 14 years without a single accident that involved a work stoppage. Contractors at the plant have worked for no less than 22 years without an accident that involved lost work time. Emissions to the air and water are minimized, as well as the amount of solid waste. Emissions were reduced by 13% between 1989 and 1998, whilst the production almost doubled.

Fact Sheet