Shell is considering the sale of its U.S. chemical assets, which could be valued at around $8 billion. The portfolio includes the Monaca polymers complex in Pennsylvania as well as chemical facilities in Louisiana and Texas.
The potential sale comes as the U.S. petrochemical industry benefits from relatively low-cost domestic ethane, while many Asian producers continue to rely on naphtha. Reuters noted that this feedstock advantage has improved the competitiveness of U.S. ethylene production.