CGCL's di-methyl ether plant starts commerical operations

The Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd (CGCL) di-methyl ether (DME) plant in La Brea has started commercial operations.

In a release Tuesday, CGCL said the plant was commissioned (handed over to operators) on December 18 and commercial operations began shortly after. “This landmark accomplishment confirms the company’s readiness to produce methanol, safely and reliably and maintain stable operations, having conducted the relevant testing to ensure the plant’s capability to function at its nameplate capacity of 1,000,000 tons per year,” the release said. DME is a diesel alternative and also used in the chemical industry as an aerosol propellant.

CGCL’s CEO Nakaba Aoyagi noted via the release that just over five years ago, in September 2015, the sod was turned for the facility. “Now, we have commenced commercial operations of our facility. The journey to arrive here has not been without its challenges, upsets and setbacks, but the company, driven by its strong leadership and a group of committed and dedicated employees, has persevered through it all.”

CGCL said it has been diligently managing the completion of its facility located at the Union Industrial Estate in La Brea, over the past year, amid the covid19 pandemic, while ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees over the period.

Aoyagi said it was an understatement to say that we are delighted with this achievement. But it was no time to relax. ”We are now operating in a world where demand for energy and energy derivatives have become volatile, prices are fluctuating at an abnormal pace and globally, we are faced with a number of risks and challenges including economic erosion triggered by the pandemic.

In spite of this, CGCL must demonstrate its resilience and adaptability in the management of its operating overhead, the protection of its market share and its ability to secure the highest value for its product, in an evolving business and fluid external environment,” he said. CGCL’s strategic intent, the company said, was to remain focused on its business development, build its reputation as a safe, dependable and environmentally friendly operator and maintain its relevance to the country and the economy.