Kingsport, Tenn.-Eastman Chemical Co. has decided to discontinue plans for its $1.6 billion Beaumont, Texas, industrial gasification project. It said the decision was made due to a number of factors, including high capital costs, the current and foreseen reduced spread between natural gas and oil and petroleum coke prices, and continued uncertainty regarding U.S. energy and environmental public policy. As a result of this decision, the company will recognize a pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charge estimated to be between $150-$180 million in the fourth quarter 2009. “Even though it is no longer advantageous for Eastman to pursue this project, we will continue to explore global industrial gasification opportunities as a long-term growth option for the company,” said Jim Rogers, president and CEO. “Eastman is committed to being an outperforming chemical company. I am confident we will deliver profitable growth through the combination of our solid core businesses and strong financial profile.” The petroleum coke-based gasification plant would have helped the idled anhydrous ammonia (255,000 st/y) and methanol (255 million gallons per year) units, which Eastman earlier bought from Terra Industries Inc. (GM Oct. 8, 2007, p. 1). The Eastman project had been a finalist for a loan guarantee by the U.S. Department of Energy (GM March 2, 2009).
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