History

The Corporate Cooperation Council (CCC), an international forum in which employees from different locations across Borealis meet with members of management, is founded.

Borealis introduces the Borealis Ethics Policy, providing guidance on how to do business according to high ethical standards and in alignment with company values.

Annual Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Awards are launched.

Svein Rennemo becomes Chief Executive of the Borealis Group, succeeding Juha Rantanen, who had served as Chief Executive since 1994.

Borealis sells its wholly-owned subsidiary Borealis Industrier to Lear Corporation.

Borealis takes over management responsibility for North Sea Petrochemicals (NSP) in Antwerp, a joint venture with Montell.

ADNOC selects Borealis as joint venture partner to build and operate a world-class petrochemical complex in the UAE.

Neste sells half of its 50% share in Borealis to OMV, the Austrian oil and gas group, and the remaining half to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi. Statoil retains its 50% share.

Borealis acquires Montell Polyolefins' 50% share of North Sea Petrochemicals NV (NSP), making Borealis the sole owner of the 250,000 tonnes per year (t/y) polypropylene (PP) plant in Kallo, Belgium.

ADNOC and Borealis agree to build and operate a petrochemical complex in Abu Dhabi and to establish a marketing company in Singapore. The joint venture is named Borouge.

Borealis acquires PCD Polymere from OMV, the Austrian oil and gas group, becoming the fourth-largest polyolefins producer in the world.

Borealis launches its official homepage, www.borealisgroup.com.

Construction and start-up completed at Borealis’ first Borstar® polypropylene (PP) plant in Schwechat, Austria. With an investment of EUR 140 million, the project is finished under budget and with a good safety record. Austria’s Minister of Economy and Labour inaugurates the plant.

Borealis and OPP Petroquímica S.A. of the Odebrecht Group agree to establish a joint venture compounding company in Brazil. Borealis-OPP is owned 80% by Borealis and is operational in December.

Borealis and DuPont launch their 50-50 manufacturing joint venture, Speciality Polymers Antwerp N.V., in Zwijndrecht, Belgium.

Borouge, a joint venture between Borealis and ADNOC, starts up a new, EUR 1.4 billion petrochemical complex in Ruwais, UAE. It consists of a 600,000 tonnes per year (t/y) ethylene cracker and two Borstar® polyethylene (PE) plants with a combined production capacity of 450,000 t/y.

John Taylor becomes Chief Executive of the Borealis Group in April, succeeding Svein Rennemo, who had served as Chief Executive since 1996.

Borealis maintains its strong market position and increases market share in key segments despite a net loss of EUR 41 million for the year. To regain profitability, Borealis updates its strategy and sets the goal of becoming a leading, profitable and integrated polyolefins supplier.

The Borouge joint venture petrochemical complex in the UAE ships its first commercial Borstar® polyethylene (PE) in January. It is officially inaugurated in October by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Borealis introduces its new company values: Responsible, Respect, Exceed and Nimblicity™. A unique bottom-up process resulting in a new addition to the English language, Nimblicity™ combines the essence of "nimble" and "simplicity."

Total recordable injuries (TRIs) per million working hours drop more than 50% to 4.0 from 8.4 in 2001, thanks to a group-wide focus on safety.

Borealis' technology organisation is redesigned to accelerate the pace of innovation and ensure Borealis' future leadership in enhanced polyolefins. Four Innovation Centres are devoted to developing the next generation of polyolefins.

Borealis launches its vision of Shaping the Future with Plastics at the October K Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany as part of a revitalised visual identity.

Safety and environmental performance show marked improvement, with total recordable injuries (TRIs) of 2.4 per million working hours, down from 3.8 in 2003.

The company reduces its European footprint from seven sites in 2001 to four operational hubs: Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden), Belgium, Central Europe (Austria and Germany) and Finland.

The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi and OMV Aktiengesellschaft of Austria agree to purchase Statoil’s 50% shareholding in Borealis A/S. The new Borealis ownership becomes 64% IPIC and 36% OMV.

Borealis wins the prestigious DuPont Safety Award in the Business Impact category for individual and collective initiatives in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The award recognises Borealis’ successful business transformation since 2001, including a step change in safety across the Group (including contractors) which has contributed to overall operational excellence.

LINZER AGRO TRADE becomes the distribution entity of Borealis fertilizer and technical nitrogen products. The business model is also changed, with diversification of customers along the value chain.

Borealis moves its head office from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Vienna, Austria, reinforcing its European footprint and positioning it strategically at the centre of Europe, and closer to its owners.

OMV and Borealis inaugurate the new 350,000 tonnes per year (t/y) Borstar® polyethylene (PE) plant. Production capacity at the Borstar® polypropylene (PP) plant is expanded to 300,000 t/y, and OMV’s nearby cracker in Schwechat, Austria, from 650,000 to 900,000 t/y.

Borouge launches the Gulf Plastics Pipe Academy (GPPA) to promote the use of high-quality plastics pipe systems in the Middle East.

Borealis completes sale of Norway-based petrochemical business to Ineos. Worth EUR 290 million, the deal comprises a 175,000 tonnes per year (t/y) polypropylene (PP) unit and a 140,000 t/y low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit, as well as a 50% share of the 557,000 t/y Noretyl gas cracker.

The Base Chemicals business group, which includes feedstocks and olefins, phenol and aromatics as well as melamine and fertilizer, is formed.

Borealis and Borouge launch Water for the World™ and become co-founders of the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize, contributing to the promotion and reward of leadership and best practices in water management and sanitation.

Mark Garrett officially succeeds John Taylor as Chief Executive and Chairman of the Executive Board. After many years running the Hydrocarbons business, Henry Sperle takes on a new position as EVP for Middle East and Asia. Two new members join the Board: Martin Kuzaj, EVP of the newly-formed Base Chemicals business group, and Daniel J. Shook, Chief Financial Officer.

New Borstar® technology takes Borealis’ polypropylene (PP) to next level in terms of purity, processability and performance.

Borealis launches the Borealis Social Fund, dedicated to making a contribution to enhancing the welfare of the communities in which it operates. The fund promotes social projects in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Closure of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant in Beringen, Belgium, is announced.

"Acqua per L’Aquila": Borealis and System Group - Centraltubi support the construction of temporary housing facilities in L’Aquila, Italy, after a devastating earthquake. Borealis also announces it will donate water pipes urgently needed for the construction of such facilities.

Borealis inaugurates its newly-upgraded low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in Stenungsund, Sweden. Over EUR 400 million has been invested in these facilities in order to fulfil growing worldwide demand for innovative wire and cable products.

Borouge 2 starts up. The expansion triples Borouge's total manufacturing capacity to 2 million tonnes of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) per year.

First joint appearance for Borealis, Borouge and Nova Chemicals at the 2010 K Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Borealis invests EUR 7.8 million to convert a naphtha cavern to butane use in its Stenungsund, Sweden, steam cracker plant. The largest of its kind in Europe, the new cavern will further optimise the plant's feed flexibility.

LINZER AGRO TRADE extends its network with the opening of a new subsidiary in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. The new sales office is part of the company's expansion programme into Southeast Europe.

The OPEX ("operational excellence") programme is introduced, improving working processes in order to proactively manage risks and change, and to enable employees to learn from incidents and share their knowledge and experience across the company. OPEX is set to improve leadership and technical skills throughout the company.

The programme was launched as an umbrella programme supporting Borealis' improvement initiatives in its core innovation, operations and commercial areas. Along with projects focused on these specific areas, a number of cross-functional projects have also been initated to ensure optimal alignment. The programme also includes an over-arching "Behavioral Excellence" initiative which focuses on driving an overall mind set change within the organisation to ensure that the programme deliverables become fully embedded and sustained for the future.

At the Wire Dusseldorf trade fair, Borealis and Borouge launch Borlink™, a step change innovation in the power and cable industry.

Peter Denifl has distinguished himself throughout his professional life by his high scientific capabilities.Alfred Stern, Borealis Senior Vice President for Innovation and Technology

Borealis announces it will cease production at its outdated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant in Burghausen, Germany, at the end of 2014, thus optimising and safeguarding the location as a polypropylene (PP) production site for the long run.

Introduced to industry partners at the 2014 Cigré Session in Paris, the new BorlinkTM grade supports extruded DC transmission at extra high voltages. High voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission supports long-distance electricity transport without significant losses, providing higher efficiency and increased sustainability.

European roll-out of the N-Pilot®, an innovative new diagnostic tool to help optimise nitrogen fertilizer application, begins. As one of the leading fertilizer producers in Europe, Borealis continues to find innovative solutions to make agriculture more efficient and sustainable.

Successful start-up of the world’s largest ethane cracker in June and commencement of operations at three polyolefin plants. This complex expansion project will result in a twofold increase in total production capacity to 4.5 million tonnes of polyolefins, making Borouge the largest integrated olefins/polyolefins complex in the world.

Borealis achieves an extraordinary record result improving further on the record result realised in 2014. Each profit centre – Base Chemicals, Polyolefins, and the Borouge joint venture – sees an improved performance compared to the previous year. This good financial performance is supported by favourable polyolefin market conditions.

Borealis announces a EUR 160 million investment in its production location in Stenungsund, Sweden. The investment entails the upgrade and revamp of four cracker furnaces to the highest currently available standards in process safety and energy efficiency. Borealis' Stenungsund crackers offer world-class feedstock flexibility as well as Europe's largest feedstock storage capacity.

Within two turnarounds, Borealis temporarily takes its plants in Porvoo, Finland, and Stenungsund, Sweden, off stream to carry out maintenance.

With a total investment of around EUR 45 million, the ongoing Itatiba expansion project is a vital component of the Borealis long-term growth strategy in South America. Borealis has now passed another milestone on the way to continued expansion of global supply capabilities.

Further embedding of environmental and social criteria in decision-making processes regarding innovation and investment projects

Borealis announces the appointment of His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), to its Supervisory Board and the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Among other leadership roles, Suhail Al Mazrouei is also Energy Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Chairman of several other UAE and international companies. Rainer Seele, CEO of OMV, is appointed as Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

In 2014, the Borouge 3 mega-project saw the start-up of the world’s largest ethane cracker, one polypropylene (PP), and two polyethylene (PE) plants. Now the successful start-up continues with the low density polyethylene plant (LD1) and the second polypropylene plant. All five polyolefin plants are running as planned and Borouge is well on track to bring the total polyolefin production capacity to 4.5 million tonnes. Only one unit has yet to be started up in 2016.

The inauguration of the new Borouge Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi is one clear sign that Borealis and Borouge pursue Value Creation through innovation with the same dedication.

OMV, the integrated, international oil and gas company, and Borealis are extending their successful cooperation. A cooperation agreement for a further 11 years from 2018 until 2028 is going to be signed.

Neste, Veolia and Borealis have agreed to create a joint venture company to build a new combined heat and power plant and produce and supply steam and other utilities to Neste's refinery and Borealis' petrochemical plant in Porvoo, Finland.

Borealis and Agrifos Partners LLC, a project development company, have reached a preliminary agreement to jointly develop a world-scale ammonia project through Gulf Coast Ammonia LLC (GCA). The plant will be located within an existing chemical site along the Texas Gulf Coast.

With the start-up of the new cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) plant, the Borouge 3 plant expansion project has now been brought to a successful close. Borouge 3, the world’s biggest integrated polyolefins complex, is now running at full capacity of 4.5 million tonnes/year. Together, Borealis and Borouge now have an annual polyolefin production capacity of 8 million tonnes.

Borealis fully acquires the German plastics recyclers mtm plastics GmbH and mtm compact GmbH, the technology leader in post-consumer waste recycling and producer of post-consumer polyolefin recyclates. This acquisition underlines Borealis’ commitment to the circular economy and puts the company in the industry pole position with regard to plastics recycling.

Borealis signs a contract with Navigator Gas for the long-term time charter of the newly-built vessel “Navigator Aurora”. This vessel is currently the world’s largest ethane carrier and will ensure reliable and cost-efficient ethane supply to Borealis’ production facilities in Stenungsund, Sweden.

Borealis announces the launch of a feasibility study for a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant at its production site in Kallo, Belgium. The new plant would be one of the largest and most efficient facilities of its kind in the world.

Borealis invests EUR 80 million in the melamine and fertilizer production location in Linz, Austria. The investment ensures the long-term competiveness of this location.

Borealis announces EUR 55 million investment in the turnaround of the Ottmarsheim, France, production location.

Borealis invests EUR 40 million to upgrade the stream cracker in Porvoo, Finland. This upgrade will improve the performance and energy efficiency of the cracker.

Neste, Veolia and Borealis agree to create a joint venture company to build a new combined heat and power plant in Porvoo, Finland. The company, Kilpilahti Power Plant Limited ("KPP"), will be owned 40% each by Neste and Veolia and 20% by Borealis.

Borealis shocases its value-creating polyolefin innovations developed in collaboration with local partners for the global market at the world’s premier fair for the plastics and rubber industry.

Borealis’ new Borstar®-based Full PE Laminate solution gives polyethylene-based packaging materials a second life as valuable end products, without compromising on product efficiency or integrity.

Borealis announces the extension of its Queo™ polyolefin plastomers (POP) portfolio through the launch of three new polyolefin elastomers (POE) grades. It also announces the rebranding of the Compact technology, which will now be known as Borceed™. Borceed technology enables flexible materials exhibiting both plastic and elastomeric properties and is the platform supporting Borealis' Queo products.

Borealis AG and NOVA Chemicals Corporation ("NOVA Chemicals") signed a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture (JV) with Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Inc. ("Total") that will develop and own a new light feed cracker and a new Borstar® polyethylene (PE) facility in Bayport, Texas.

Borealis and Borouge announce the launch of Quentys™, the new umbrella brand created to empower and potentially revolutionise the solar energy industry by making applications more affordable, reliable, and durable.

Borealis has decided to build a dedicated automotive polypropylene (PP) compounding plant in Taylorsville, Alexander County, North Carolina. This area has been selected for its strategic location and proximity to the company's customer base, as well as for the business-friendly and supporting environment of the State and the County.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Borealis have signed a framework agreement, under which the companies will advance two key projects that will expand both ADNOC and Borealis downstream petrochemicals business and support the delivery of ADNOC’s integrated smart growth and partnership strategy.

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, announces that it will move to the FEED-phase for a new, world-scale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant, after successfully concluding a pre-FEED feasibility study in June 2017. The facility is planned to be located at the existing Borealis production site in Kallo, Belgium.

Borealis and Borouge announce the launch of Anteo™, a new family of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) packaging grades for the global packaging market.

Borealis and Borouge announce a new world record of 640 kilovolt (kV) for extruded high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable technology.

Borouge, Borealis’ joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), commenced the construction of an additional polypropylene plant (PP5) based on Borealis proprietary Borstar® technology within the Borouge 3 plant.

Borealis and United Chemical Company LLP (UCC) have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the development of a world-scale polyethylene project, integrated with an ethane cracker, in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Borealis Supervisory Board announces the appointment of Alfred Stern as new CEO following on Mark Garrett, who has decided to step down.

Total, Borealis AG and NOVA Chemicals Inc. announce a joint venture in petrochemicals on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The company named Bayport Polymers LLC (“Bay-Pol”) is 50% owned by Total and 50% owned by Novealis Holdings LLC, a joint venture between Borealis and NOVA Chemicals.

Borealis announces the mechanical completion and production start-up of an new plan in North Carolina, USA. The dedicated automotive polypropylene (PP) compounding plant will help Borealis secure its position as a local supplier to automotive OEMs and their Tier partners in North America.

Borealis, Borouge and Henkel announce the development of two new flexible packaging solutions containing both virgin polyethylene (PE) and high amounts of post-consumer recyclate (PCR).

Borealis and Borouge have developed a series of new, monomaterial pouch solutions based on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

Borealis has introduced a new platform to demonstrate its commitment towards a more circular plastic economy and inspire its partners and customers.

OMV and Borealis are taking the next step to advance the chemical recycling of post-consumer plastics.

Borealis and Neste begin strategic co-operation to accelerate circularity and bioeconomy in plastics.

On 3 October 2019, Borealis and Ecoplast celebrated the successful conclusion of a strategic investment at their plastics recycling location in Wildon, Styria/Austria.

Borealis held the groundbreaking ceremony on 9 September for its new, world-scale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant.

Bayport Polymers LLC (Baystar™) held its official groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new 625,000 metric ton-per-year Borstar® polyethylene unit at its production site in Pasadena, Texas, with an anticipated start-up in 2021.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (“ADNOC”), Adani Group (“Adani”), BASF SE (“BASF”) and Borealis AG (“Borealis”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage in a joint feasibility study to further evaluate a collaboration for the establishment of a chemical complex in Mundra, Gujarat, India.

OMV acquires additional 39% stake from Mubadala, increasing its shareholding in Borealis to 75%. OMV now holds a 75% interest and Mubadala retains a 25% interest in Borealis.

Borealis has successfully acquired a controlling stake in South Korean compounder DYM Solution Co. Ltd.

The acquisition of NOVA Chemicals’ share in Novealis supports Borealis’ global growth ambitions.

Produced with renewable feedstock derived entirely from waste and residue streams, these premium polyolefins offer the same material performance as virgin polyolefins, yet with a reduced carbon footprint.

Next milestone in the strategic cooperation of Borealis, Covestro and Neste for the use of alternative raw materials.

This marks the first time that Borealis has replaced fossil fuel-based feedstock in its large-scale commercial production of PP.

Agreement propels Borealis towards goal of sourcing 50% of total electricity in major business areas from renewables by 2030 and reducing its indirect carbon dioxide emissions.

Loan to boost Borealis research and development efforts in propelling the industry towards plastics circularity.

Borealis Borlink cables will be implemented in the northern part of the SuedOstLink and along the entire SuedLink corridor, thus facilitating the transmission of renewable energy in Germany from north to south with minimal loss.

Borealis is one of 29 major businesses who issued a call for a UN treaty on plastic pollution supporting the existing call from leading NGOs including WWF & the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for this important international agreement.

Launched in 2017 by Borealis and SYSTEMIQ, Project STOP (Stop Ocean Plastics) works with cities to create effective waste management systems that eliminate plastics leakage into the ocean and creates circular systems in Southeast Asia.