News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that Lyondell Chemical Company's Millennium Inorganic Chemicals (Lyondell) has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Ohio Investment in Training Program (OITP). The funds will assist Lyondell in training 450 employees and implementing a training plan to extend the viability of the plant and advance the knowledge of its employees.

"Expanding the skills and knowledge of Ohio's already top-notch workforce is of the utmost importance in ensuring our businesses remain competitive and successful," said Lt. Governor Fisher who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I want to congratulate Lyondell on its decision to invest in the future of its Ohio operation and its valuable workforce."

Lyondell Chemical Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is North America's third-largest independent, publicly traded chemical company and is the world’s second-largest producer of titanium dioxide (TiO2). Lyondell's Ashtabula operation is the company's largest TiO2 production facility, accounting for 30 percent of the company's overall production. TiO2 is a powder made from titanium ore that has the ability to pigment virtually any material and gives plastics and rubber opacity and whiteness. The product is used in such diverse products as printing inks, paper, cosmetics, ceramics, soaps, sunscreens, glass, leather, synthetic fibers and colors formulated for art paints.

"The TiO2 market is very competitive and maintaining a well-trained workforce is critical to our success globally," said Scott Strayer, plant manager for Lyondell's Plant 1 in Ashtabula. "This grant from the State of Ohio will allow us to hire and retain a skilled workforce from Ohio, ensuring that we are able to continue to be an important economic engine in Ashtabula County and the state."

Lyondell's Ashtabula operations will invest approximately $13 million in machinery and equipment to replace current infrastructure, reduce costs and increase efficiency to remain one of the largest and highest paying industrial employers in Ashtabula County.

Ohio Investment in Training Program grants provide Ohio firms with up to 50 percent reimbursement to fund instructional costs, materials and training-related activities.