CALGARY, AB, July 5, 2022 /CNW/ – Inter Pipeline Ltd. (“Inter Pipeline”) today announced it has successfully commissioned its polypropylene (PP) plant and has begun initial production. Branded Heartland Polymers (“Heartland”), the operation is the only one of its kind in North America, offering the market one of only two new sources of PP in over a decade. Due to its unique location, modern design and technology and transport optionality, Heartland is expected to be one of the most sustainably produced, reliable options in the industry.
“A safe commissioning of our polypropylene plant is a crucial step towards commercial production of Heartland Polymers,” said Jim Madro, Senior Vice President, Petrochemicals. “The PP Plant has been producing pellets since late June with polymer grade propylene (PGP) from our storage cavern. The entire Heartland Complex remains on schedule for an integrated start-up in the third quarter of this year, at which point Heartland will begin commercial production.”
Construction of the Heartland Petrochemical Complex (“the Complex”) began in early 2018, and it is expected to convert locally sourced, low-cost propane into 525,000 tonnes per year of PP, a high value, multi-use plastic that is easily transported and can be recycled. This polymer is used in the manufacturing of a range of finished products such as food packaging, textiles, healthcare products and medical supplies. Once fully in-service Heartland is expected to create a step change in annual cash flow generation for Inter Pipeline, with approximately 70 per cent of the output contracted on a nine-year weighted average.
Industry Leading Reliability
The PP plant was commissioned using PGP feedstock from a cavern at Inter Pipeline’s Redwater Olefinic Fractionator. The primary source of feedstock will be an on-site PDH plant, where propane will be turned into PGP. The propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant is expected to enter integrated service with the PP plant in the third quarter of this year, making it the first integrated complex of its kind in North America. The optionality of both the storage cavern and direct on-site PGP production ensures exceptional reliability for customers.
Heartland Sustainability
Deliberate design and technology choices paired with local feedstock means Heartland is expected to generate 65 per cent less greenhouse gas than average global PP facilities around the world. Due to its integrated nature, the Complex is designed to utilize by-products ethane and hydrogen to fuel power production in the cogeneration unit (CUB) to make up approximately 32 per cent of the operation’s total fuel usage, reducing the total carbon footprint by approximately 130,000 tonnes annually. Additionally, the design choice to utilize air cooling instead of water cooling in the operation has a significant impact on the amount of water used at Heartland. When fully in service, the Complex is expected to utilize 80 per cent less make-up water than water cooled operations. For more on sustainability at the Heartland Complex, view the Impact Report online: https://interpipeline.com/sustainability/heartland-impact-report/
About Inter Pipeline Ltd.
Inter Pipeline is a major petroleum transportation and natural gas liquids processing business based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Inter Pipeline owns and operates energy infrastructure assets in Western Canada including the Heartland Petrochemical Complex.
Contact Information
Media Relations:
Steven Noble
Manager, Corporate Communications
Email: mediarelations@interpipeline.com
Tel: 403-717-5725
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements and information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve known and unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Forward-looking statements often contain terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the ramp up of commercial production; the timing for bringing the PDH plant online; the benefits of the feedstock option; and expected emissions. Any such forward-looking statements are based solely on the current expectations of Inter Pipeline and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic and business conditions, competition, changes in political, social, industry and regulatory conditions, technological changes, compliance with governmental regulations, operational risks, cost overruns, supply chain risks, inflationary pressure, risks of war, hostilities, civil insurrection, pandemics (including COVID-19), and various other events, conditions and circumstances, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately, and many of which are beyond the control of Inter Pipeline. The future performance of Inter Pipeline may differ significantly from the past performance. Although Inter Pipeline believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included herein will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation or guarantee by Inter Pipeline or by any other person that the objectives and plans of Inter Pipeline will be achieved. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, Inter Pipeline expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Inter Pipeline’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
SOURCE Inter Pipeline Ltd.
