Celanese converts US coal-fired boiler plant to gas-fired boilers

Global technology and specialty materials group Celanese has completed the conversion of its Narrows, Virginia, operation to natural gas-fired boilers.

Celanese invested $150 million to replace its coal-fired boilers with natural gas to generate the steam needed to run the plant’s electrical generators and processes.

“This is a milestone in Celanese’s continued growth and an opportunity for us to do our part to create a cleaner environment for the communities where we operate," said Jon Mortimer, vice president of manufacturing and capital projects at Celanese."

The Celanese Narrows plant has been in operation for 75 years. Celanese’s boiler equipment conversion project provided more than 300 jobs in Giles County during the duration of the project as well as the continued support of more than 1,000 existing jobs.

The plant is one of the world’s largest producers of cellulose acetate tow, a natural and environmentally-friendly product that is used for filtration applications.

“Improving the power system at the Narrows, Virginia, plant is both a smart business decision and is good for the environment,” said Jean Lupinacci, acting director of the EPA’s climate protection partnerships division and its ENERGY STAR program.

“These upgrades, along with Celanese’s application of ENERGY STAR energy management resources, place the company firmly on the path to continuously improving its energy management system."

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