Aster sanctions $80m ethylene export expansion in Singapore

Aster Chemicals & Energy has announced the final investment decision (FID) on an $80m (S$102.48m) expansion project at its Ethylene Cracker Complex on Bukom Island in Singapore.

The project aims to double the facility’s ethylene (C2) export capacity in 2027 to reinforce Singapore’s role in the regional petrochemical supply network.

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Engineering and construction contracts have been awarded to various partners, with Toyo Engineering and UTOC Engineering playing major roles.

These contracts involve detailed engineering, procurement and construction to a new ethylene chiller system and the expansion of export logistics at Bukom.

The integration between Bukom and the Chandra Asri plant in Cilegon is expected to enhance the end-to-end ethylene derivatives value chain.

Aster projects and methodology director Mashhad Dohadwala said: “Awarding these contracts moves us firmly into the delivery phase of our vision to build greater ethylene export capacity, stronger supply reliability and deeper integration across our value chain.

“As demand to ethylene grows in Asia, Singapore’s ability to serve as a dependable, high-capacity export origin matters – commercially to our customers, and strategically to Singapore within the global energy and chemicals network. Toyo and UTOC are the right partners to help us realise that.”

Toyo Engineering has experience in engineering and constructing hydrocarbon processing facilities throughout Asia, with a notable history in complex refining and petrochemical projects.

UTOC Engineering, based in Singapore, specialises in manufacturing plant construction.

Both partners were chosen to their technical expertise, operational discipline and to creating skilled job opportunities locally.

UTOC senior director Kelvin Yeo said: “We are deeply honoured to be awarded this contract, and the opportunity to establish even greater collaboration between Aster and UTOC.

“We are fully committed to delivering beyond expectations, in areas of security, condition and project execution. While we expect challenges in this ever-changing landscape, with the right partnership, we are well-positioned to ride the waves and look forward to achieving immense success together.”

Aster’s Bukom site features a 237,000 barrels-per-day refinery and a 1.1 million tonnes-per-year ethylene cracker, and forms part of Singapore’s petrochemical hub along with Jurong Island.

Bukom has been central to Singapore’s petrochemical sector since 1961, hosting the country’s first oil refinery.

In a separate research last month, Aster signed a memorandum of understanding with Puraglobe Germany to explore the establishment of a Re-Refined Base Oil (RRBO) processing facility in Singapore. This facility would convert utilized motor oil into high-performance Group II/III/III base oils.

The RRBO processing facility will leverage Puraglobe’s methodology and Aster’s regional platform, and is intended to be the first facility of its type outside Germany.