INEOS Launches €250m Investment to Modernize Lavera Cracker in France
INEOS has announced a €250 million investment to regenerate and modernize its Lavera cracker in France, supported by the French government. This initiative aims to improve reliability, boost efficiency, reduce emissions, and safeguard thousands of jobs at one of France’s key industrial sites. It marks the first phase of a wider plan to strengthen Lavera’s competitiveness and sustainability amid challenges from high energy prices and carbon costs.
INEOS is investing €250 million to upgrade its steam cracker facility at Lavera, France, with the backing of the French government and financing facilitated by BNP Paribas and ING. This investment focuses on improving operational reliability, enhancing efficiency, and cutting emissions. The Lavera site directly employs approximately 2,000 people and supports over 10,000 jobs through its supply chain, producing essential raw materials used in multiple sectors including healthcare, clean energy, aerospace, and packaging. This project is the initial phase of a comprehensive regeneration plan aimed at securing Lavera’s long-term sustainability and industrial competitiveness in Europe. INEOS emphasizes the pressures European chemical producers face due to substantially higher energy prices and exclusive carbon costs compared to competitors in China and the USA, which has led to plant closures across Europe. Future phases of the Lavera regeneration program intend further efficiency gains and significant CO2 reductions but will depend on additional support from the French State. This investment also reflects INEOS’s commitment to maintaining vital production capabilities in Europe and supporting the regional economy despite challenging industrial conditions.
