ExxonMobil Chemical to build world-scale synthetic lubricant base stock plant

21 September 2011 – HOUSTON – ExxonMobil Chemical (NYSE:XOM) announced today that it will build a world-scale facility to manufacture its metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) synthetic lubricant base stocks at its integrated refining and chemical complex in Baytown, Texas.

The facility will have the capacity to produce 50,000 tons per year of high-viscosity (Hi-Vis) SpectraSyn™ Elite mPAO. Engineering, procurement and construction activities for the new facility have begun, and completion is expected in 2013.

“The drive for greater energy efficiency, improved durability and extended drain intervals is creating demand for high-performance lubricants made with advanced synthetic base stocks,” said Habib Quazi, Synthetics Global Vice President. “This new metallocene Hi-Vis PAO manufacturing capacity demonstrates ExxonMobil’s technology leadership and our commitment to provide our customers with reliable supply of synthetic base stocks that enable innovative synthetic lubricants.”

SpectraSyn Elite™ mPAO base stocks are manufactured using a proprietary metallocene catalyst process and offer improved performance characteristics versus conventional PAO. This enables finished lubricants with improved shear stability, viscosity index (VI) and low-temperature performance. These properties can help address formulators’ lubrication challenges, particularly in industrial applications.

ExxonMobil Chemical is the world’s largest PAO producer and offers the broadest range of advanced synthetic base stock fluids, including SpectraSyn™ PAO, Synesstic™ alkylated naphthalene and Esterex™ ester fluids. The Baytown complex is the largest integrated petroleum and petrochemical complex in the United States. It includes a refinery, two chemical plants, an engineering office and a global technology center.

About ExxonMobil Chemical

ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the world’s premier petrochemical companies with manufacturing, technology, and marketing operations around the world. The company delivers a broad portfolio of products and solutions efficiently and responsibly, with a commitment to create outstanding customer and shareholder value. ExxonMobil Chemical endorses the principles of sustainable development, including the need to balance economic growth, social development and environmental considerations.

To learn more, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com or www.exxonmobilsynthetics.com or www.spectrasynelite.com.