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ExxonMobil Chemical Completes Exxsol Hydrocarbon Fluids Capacity Expansion in Singapore


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SINGAPORE, Oct. 2, 2008 - ExxonMobil Chemical has completed a 130,000 tons per year capacity expansion at its Exxsol hydrocarbon fluids plant in Jurong Island, Singapore, increasing capacity at this site to more than 500,000 tons per year. The new capacity is designed to meet demand for differentiated hydrocarbon fluid products in Asia Pacific, which is growing at an estimated rate of six percent per year.

The capacity expansion will provide customers with access to higher volumes of ExxonMobil Chemicals Exxsol series of differentiated fluids, and its broader portfolio of hydrocarbon fluids including Isopar and Solvesso. Exxsol fluids are specifically formulated to meet diverse customer needs in applications such as drilling mud oil, metal working, polymer processing, industrial cleaning, adhesives, coatings, household products and mining.

"This expansion reinforces ExxonMobil Chemicals commitment to meeting the hydrocarbon fluid needs of its global customers and those in Asia Pacific where growth is particularly strong, said Elissa Sterry, vice president, Intermediates Global Business, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

Increasing demand in Asia Pacific is a result of strong industrial growth accompanied by rising awareness of health, safety and environmental issues and the future consolidation of different regulatory requirements under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). ExxonMobil Chemical's Exxsol hydrocarbon fluids and de-aromatized fluids portfolios position the company to meet or exceed increasingly stringent regulations and environmental requirements.

The Exxsol D range of products delivers low odor, reduced toxicity and is not classified as dangerous for the environment under EU regulations. With significantly lower exposure risks compared to traditional solvents, worker protection and comfort is enhanced which can improve productivity, said Ronan OFlaherty, fluids global marketing manager, ExxonMobil Chemical Company. Through product development technology, ExxonMobil Chemical is committed to helping customers protect worker and end-user health, and to helping brand owners meet their sustainability targets while reducing operating costs.

The Singapore facility complements ExxonMobil Chemicals two other world-class hydrocarbon fluid manufacturing plants located in Baytown, Texas and Antwerp, Belgium. In March 2007, ExxonMobil Chemical announced an expansion at the Antwerp plant.