ExxonMobil Polypropylene Growth Project (PPG)
Baton Rouge/Capital Region
The Mission
ExxonMobil is one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies. Its Growing the Gulf initiative is a 10-year plan to invest more than $20 billion to expand manufacturing facilities along the coast.
The Challenge
As part of its Growing the Gulf initiative, ExxonMobil sought to meet the growing demand for durable, high-performance plastics, by doubling its production of polypropylene at its Polyolefins plant in Baton Rouge, at an increase of 450,000 metric tons per year. Polypropylene is a feedstock used in everyday products, including lightweight automotive parts that improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions.
The Outcome
“The project allows us to train and hire more local residents while increasing our capacity to meet the growing global demand for lightweight, durable plastics.”
– Jonathan Morgan, Exxon Mobil’s Baton Rouge Polyolefins Plant Manager
Noteworthy
- ExxonMobil’s investment in virtual reality training not only supported the company’s global digital manufacturing initiatives, but also spurred the investment further in Louisiana among others in the energy industry. The construction safety modules were adopted by Baton Rouge Community College and National Center for Construction Research (NCCER).
- ExxonMobil is also making a lasting impact on Louisiana’s workforce and community. To support the local North Baton Rouge community, as part of the project, ExxonMobil provided office space to four nonprofits at the Chemical Plant North Office building: the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, Project 70805 and the Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation. The nonprofits lease the space at no cost.
- To help build the workforce of the future, ExxonMobil awarded grants to Scotlandville Magnet High School, the Career and Technical Education Center and Baton Rouge Community College to establish virtual reality training labs, where students will be trained on process technology and industry-related scenarios. Teachers at these schools will also have access to six virtual reality training modules. These labs will help students learn important skills to access pathways into careers both within and beyond STEM fields.
- Mindful of community needs, ExxonMobil donated construction supplies – including tables, microwaves, printers and more – to local organizations such as the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, BREC, Rebuilding Together, Big Buddy and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.