More than 500 full-time jobs are expected at the new Golden Triangle Polymers Company (GTPC) integrated polymers plant across from the Orange County Airport when the facility is fully functional in 2026.
With Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) and QatarEnergy breaking ground at the 2525 Highway 87 South site on March 7, roughly 4,500 immediate construction jobs are anticipated as the $8.5 billion joint venture between Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) and Qatar Energy has begun. The project is expected to generate an estimated $50 billion for the community in economic impacts over 20 years.
Once operational, the plant producing Marlex polyethylene will include a 2,080 KTA ethane cracker and two 1,000 KTA high-density polyethylene units.
CPChem President and CEO Bruce Chinn, along with Orange County Judge John Gothia and Larry McManus from Governor Greg Abbott’s Office, spoke at the GTPC groundbreaking event that also heralded an influx of funds for the Orange area state college.
While announcing the start of construction, GTPC also presented a $1.3 million check to Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) that will facilitate the purchase of a Polaris Hands-on-Training 3 Glycol Distillation Trainer, from which LSCO Industrial Systems students can train.
The unit will be 24 feet long, 35 feet high, and 11 feet wide. The training unit includes differential pressure transmitters, temperature transmitters and industrial process instruments, which accommodate the control system installed on the unit.
“Golden Triangle Polymers Company’s new world-class polymers plant represents an investment in the future generations of residents of Orange, Orange County, and the entire Southeast Texas area, as well as Southwest Louisiana. We couldn’t be more grateful for their donation and continued support,” said LSCO President Dr. Thomas Johnson.
“Golden Triangle Polymers Company understands the vital role an educated workforce plays in the success of a global operation. We are incredibly grateful – and proud – to be the recipient of this enormously generous gift to our college and to our current and future students,” said LSCO Industrial Systems Program Director Cheryl January.