It’s full steam ahead for Sempcorb
A FIVE-year deal by utilities provider Sempcorb to provide steam to one of its largest users was interpreted today as being good news for the medium-term future of the Wilton site.
Sembcorp’s new £36m gas turbine will provide steam in varying pressures to SABIC’s Olefins 6 cracker plant under an agreement which also sees provision for an additional 100 tonnes per hour of high pressure steam if required. The supply will be made via a connection from the turbine into an existing steam pipeline to the cracker.
Both companies have been struggling to minimise the impact felt by the closures of their mutual customers, Invista, Dow and Croda over the past year.
All three were major users of Sembcorp facilities as well as products supplied by Sabic and their departure sparked a major review of the North and South Tees sites last year. The subsequent 10-point Tees Valley Industrial Programme was intended to give both existing operators and potential investors confidence in the long-term viability of the cluster.
Essential to that was being able to rely on key member Sabic - one of the world’s largest chemical companies - and Sembcorp’s commitment to the area. Today’s deal appears to confirm that.
Nick Booth, Sembcorp vice president with responsibility for business development, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement on this service which makes the best and most efficient use of existing Sembcorp and Sabic owned assets.”
Harbinder Bhanvra, European commercial manager for Sabic described it as a “win/win solution for all parties”.
