SINGAPORE — ExxonMobil today (Jan 8) unveiled its latest expansion at the Singapore Chemical Plant, officially completing a project that more than doubles the plant’s production capacity to meet rising demand in Asia Pacific.

The expansion, which began in November 2007 and ended December 2012, also made the facility ExxonMobil’s largest integrated petrochemical complex globally, chief executive Rex Tillerson said.

“With this project complete, our regional capacity has been expanded by more than 50 per cent, and we have added production capacity across six product lines,” he said at the opening ceremony at Jurong Island today.

The expansion centres on a new world-scale steam cracker — the plant’s second — and its peripheral units, producing chemicals like ethylene and polyethylene that are crucial for a broad range of manufacturing processes.

And as Asia’s consumer demand soars, the added capacity will position ExxonMobil to tap that growth.

“We expect global chemical demand to grow at a faster pace than GDP ... and two-thirds of that growth in chemical demand will be here in Asia Pacific,” Mr Tillerson said. “This expansion establishes a world-scale integrated platform ... to meet the demand growth across this region.”

Also speaking at the ceremony was Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who complimented ExxonMobil’s role in Singapore’s energy and petrochemical industry.

The sector, which makes up one third of manufacturing here, also empowers various industries along the supply chain while creating rewarding careers for Singaporeans, he added.

ExxonMobil currently hires around 3,300 people in Singapore, including 2,000 at its refinery and chemical plant here.

“We will continue to support the industry. First, we will upgrade Jurong Island … taking a bigger step to make it more competitive and sustainable,” Mr Lee said. “Second, we are also upgrading our software and capabilities, growing our pipeline of science and engineering graduates (and) promoting continuous education and training.”

Singapore will also be committed to helping tackle climate change, working closely with the industry to be more environmentally friendly, the Prime Minister added.