Northeast Location Streamlines Transport Processes
A majority of North American polyethylene production comes from the US petrochemical epicenter in the Gulf Coast. Despite that concentration, most North American polyethylene buyers are located in the Northeast/Midwest of the country. So, we asked ourselves, why not go to them?
By building our state-of-the-art polyethylene plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, we strategically set up our resin transport capabilities to combat logistical challenges like rail congestion and supply disruptions. We will have both rail and trucking capabilities that provide several methods for our customers to acquire resin across a reliable road and rail network. This helps us to deliver quality resin ratably, timely, and efficiently for better peace of mind.
These benefits are driven by:
- State-of-the-art silo to top truck loading sets us up to prepare shipments in under an hour, enabling us to get resin to converters quicker.
- Shorter transit times with lower variability thanks to industry-leading trucking capabilities.
- Higher volumes of product quicker because our Storage In Transit (SIT) yard is centrally-located outside of Pittsburgh and allows us to collaborate easier with nearby railroads.
Of course, we don't just rely on our Northeast location to improve logistics. We are also implementing the latest technology to track and manage product/process data. This will not only keep our customers in-the-know about their orders from the moment they leave the plant but will also drive more educated business decisions by providing greater visibility.
SIT Yard Located to Mitigate Risk
Owned and operated by Shell Polymers, our SIT yard near Pittsburgh, PA provides additional railcar space and enables us to be more flexible for our customers. Full ownership of the SIT yards also allows us more flexibility when responding to customer requests because we don’t have to negotiate with a third-party owner. Instead of having to wait for product to be loaded and shipped, our SIT yard allows us to store cars and have them ready to be released at a moment’s notice. That means faster, more reliable service for our customers and more confidence in their supply at all times.