NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
December 8, 2017
The Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) would like to congratulate NOVA Chemicals and all of those involved in the announcement of a new world-scale polyethylene plant in St. Clair Township.
Bruce Hein, Chair of SLEP stated “On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, I want to thank NOVA Chemicals for providing this transformative, next generation economic development opportunity to Sarnia-Lambton”. He added that “Sarnia-Lambton represented a tempting choice for the ownership of NOVA because of its proximity to three existing NOVA Chemicals manufacturing sites, existing pipelines and transportation infrastructure, however, we believe the local leadership with NOVA and our community earned this opportunity”. NOVA Chemicals, which already produces polyethylene in St. Clair Township at its Moore and St. Clair River sites, first proposed building a new Sarnia-Lambton facility in 2011. From 2014 to 2016, NOVA spent over $650M upgrading its Corunna-based ethylene facility as part of its 2020 Growth Plan. NOVA Chemicals is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the International Petroleum Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates.
“This announcement reflects NOVA Chemicals’ confidence in the Sarnia-Lambton economy. The economic spin-off of this investment provides our existing businesses with an opportunity to elevate their own service offerings, invest in new and innovative technologies, and look at their own growth strategy with increased confidence. At the same time, the economic boost to both the Sarnia-Lambton Petrochemical and Refining Complex and Hybrid Chemistry Cluster creates a positive climate for research and development, new technologies, innovation, and growth.” said Stephen Thompson, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership CEO. “I am confident that our highly-skilled workforce will play a key role in this world-scale polyethylene facility using the best practices and environmental technologies that Sarnia-Lambton has become well known for.” said, Thompson.
The Economic Partnership will be planning a roundtable discussion for community and business leaders to discuss how to they can be part NOVA’s success and grow from the significant economic opportunities driven by this new world-scale Polyethylene plant. The roundtable will be held in partnership with the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance (SLIA) with the date yet to be determined.
SLIA Chairman, Rick Perdeaux, is pleased with NOVA Chemicals’ decision to make such a major investment in Sarnia-Lambton. “The SLIA membership and area suppliers have been providing NOVA Chemicals with world-class products and support services for decades. We look forward to doing our individual and collective parts to build the new plant and maintain all of the NOVA facilities for many years to come.” said Perdeaux.
This announcement in St. Clair Township is a significant enhancement to Sarnia-Lambton’s well-established Petrochemical and Refining Complex, consisting of 36 interrelated facilities- representing one of Canada’s leading petrochemical and refining regions.
About Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership:
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the County of Lambton’s economic development agency whose mission is to promote the distinctive advantages that Sarnia-Lambton has to offer to companies and residents. By coordinating community-based economic development initiatives and working to maintain a commercially attractive environment, SLEP fosters new business creation as well as helping to ensure that established firms remain and grow here in our region.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is a private/public sector, community-based partnership that works to continually increase the economic activity across the County of Lambton.
About Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance:
The Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance (SLIA) is a coalition of over 30 Sarnia-Lambton companies that specialize in all aspects of metal fabrication, engineering, environmental, water and wastewater management, technology, machining, and support services geared to manufacturing industries.
Established in 2010 through the efforts of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and a forward-thinking group of Sarnia-Lambton companies, The SLIA came together to combat a downturn in the area’s major petrochemical sector and the resulting decline in spin off projects for Sarnia-Lambton service companies. Since then, member companies have come together to present themselves and their unique alliance to global markets. Member companies specialize in services for Canada’s bio industry, energy, mining, refining and petrochemical sectors nationally and internationally, as well the fabrication of oversized vessels and modules.
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For Inquiries Contact:
Stephen Thompson, CEO
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
stephen@sarnialambton.on.ca
Tel: 519-332-1820
Rick Perdeaux, Chairman
Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance
rperdeaux@sarnialambtonindustrialalliance.com
Tel: 519-337-6993
Posted in: SLEP News