Olin Freeport
Large load · 2301 N BRAZOSPORT BLVD, Freeport, TX
Olin's Freeport, Texas complex can produce up to 2.7 million metric tons of chlorine and 3.0 million metric tons of caustic soda a year, alongside ethylene dichloride. It runs both diaphragm and membrane cells and generates part of its own power from six on-site power generation units. Because chlorine and caustic soda are made by electrolysis, the site's output is tightly tied to Texas power: Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 stopped production for lack of electricity and gas, and in June 2022 Olin cut Freeport output citing high Texas electrical costs. Hurricane Beryl briefly disrupted operations in July 2024.
Overview
In February 2022 two of Freeport's six power generation units shut down after a mechanical failure. In June 2022 Olin said the complex was operating at a reduced level of power generation, expected to restore a portion by the fourth quarter, and announced it would temporarily shut a substantial portion of its ethylene dichloride and related chlor-alkali production at Freeport. Olin gave high electrical costs in Texas, poor ethylene dichloride market conditions and the restart of its Plaquemine, Louisiana chlor-alkali plant as the reasons.
Profile
- Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Beryl
- During Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 Olin's Freeport facility halted production because of the lack of electrical power, natural gas and other raw materials, and Olin declared force majeure on all chemical product shipments from North America on February 18, 2021; its facilities were back in operation by March 31, 2021. On July 10, 2024 Olin declared a systemwide force majeure on chlor-alkali products after a temporary disruption of Freeport operations from Hurricane Beryl, and lifted it in late August 2024 once chlor-alkali and derivative production had returned to operation.
- Capacity and technology mix
- Olin cut 220,000 tons of diaphragm-cell chlor-alkali capacity at Freeport effective March 31, 2016, leaving 1,450,000 tons of membrane cell capacity and 1,580,000 tons of diaphragm cell capacity. The June 2022 trade press put the unit's maximum output at 2.7 million metric tons a year of chlorine and 3.0 million of caustic soda.
Facility
- Activity
- Chlor-alkali (chlorine and caustic soda), ethylene dichloride and related derivatives
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Site type
- Facility
- Operating status
- Operating
Permits and agreements
- Agreement
- Site operates its own power generation: six power generation units at Freeport, two of which were shut by a mechanical failure in February 2022
Related records
Timeline
- Mar 31, 2016
- Olin removes 220,000 tons of diaphragm-cell chlor-alkali capacity at Freeport
Olin cuts chlor alkali production | Processing Magazine
- Feb 18, 2021
- Olin declares force majeure on North American chemical shipments after Winter Storm Uri halts Freeport
and Freeport, Texas. Olin is .... - Service Industry News
- Feb 15, 2022
- Two of six Freeport power generation units shut by a mechanical failure
and Freeport, Texas. Olin is .... - Service Industry News
- Jun 14, 2022
- Olin curtails Freeport ethylene dichloride and chlor-alkali output, citing high Texas electrical costs
Part of Olin Chlor Alkali Plant Restarts Operations
- Aug 29, 2024
- Olin lifts chlor-alkali force majeure declared after Hurricane Beryl disrupted Freeport
Olin ends force majeure on chlor-alkali at Texas facility - AlchemPro