INEOS Project ONE Nears Completion as Final Modules Reach Antwerp

INEOS Project ONE Nears Completion, Final Batch of Modules Arrives in Antwerp

Key Milestone: Final Two Mega-Modules Arrive

On July 28, 2026, INEOS's Project ONE ethane cracking project in Antwerp, Belgium, reached a major milestone with the successful arrival of the first of the final two large process modules. The second module, weighing approximately 7,200 tons, is expected to arrive in the first half of August. The arrival of these two modules signifies the completion of equipment delivery for all major process units.

Geopolitical Crisis Hinders Transport

These modules, manufactured in Abu Dhabi, were severely hampered in their transport due to the Iran-Iraq War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The two ships carrying the modules were stranded in the strait for months. A week-long ceasefire in mid-June provided a brief window of safety, allowing the ships to pass safely through the strait. They then sailed via the Suez Canal, arriving in Antwerp approximately six weeks later.

odule Specifications: An Engineering behemoth

The arrival of the first batch of modules is itself an engineering feat:

Weight: 6,920 tons

Height: 55 meters, equivalent to an 18-story building

Comparison: Its weight is equivalent to almost the entire steel structure of the Eiffel Tower, making it one of the largest and heaviest project cargoes ever handled by the Port of Antwerp.

The second module is expected to weigh 7,200 tons.

On-site construction enters final sprint

With the arrival of the modules, the project enters its final stages.

Manpower Input: Currently, approximately 2,500 workers are on-site, from about 80 contractors. More than 14 million man-hours have been completed to date.

Current Work: Mechanical installation, electrical, and instrumentation work is underway. This includes laying 1,250 kilometers of instrumentation and electrical cabling, conducting leak tests, and completing the construction of key buildings such as the administrative headquarters, control room, and warehouses.

Power Supply: The 380 kV main substation was put into operation in the first quarter of this year, providing permanent power to the site, a crucial prerequisite for commissioning activities.

Timeline: Start-up in the second half of 2027

Mechanical Completion: Mechanical completion of the entire project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.

Commercial Launch: The goal is to achieve commercial operation in the second half of 2027.

Project Significance: One of the largest chemical investments in Europe

Project ONE is a €5 billion project by INEOS, representing the largest investment in the European chemical industry since 2000.

Modular Strategy: The project employs a modular construction strategy. Overseas assembly and on-site civil engineering in Antwerp can be carried out simultaneously, overcoming site space limitations and saving time.

Sustainability: The project aims to become the most sustainable ethane cracker in Europe. Its carbon emissions are expected to be significantly lower than existing European facilities, approximately half the carbon emissions of the least polluting ethane crackers currently in operation (the top 10%). The plant will utilize best-practice technologies, including low-NOx burners and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) denitrification systems. Economy and Employment: The project is expected to create approximately 450 permanent jobs once it is operational.

Senior Management Statement

John McNally, CEO of INEOS Project ONE, stated:

“We are very pleased that the last two modules have safely arrived at their ‘home’ in Antwerp. I look forward to seeing them in place within the overall unit so that we can complete the connection of all modules and start up our pyrolysis unit complex. This marks a significant milestone for this unique project in Europe.”