Westlake Corporation

Westlake Corporation is an international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated building products, which are fundamental to various consumer and industrial markets.^[2] The company was founded by Ting Tsung Chao in 1986.^[3] it is the largest producer of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in the US and ranks among the Forbes Global 2000.^[4][5] Westlake Chemical operates in two segments: Olefins and Vinyls, and is also an integrated producer of vinyls, with substantial downstream integration into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) building products.^[6]

Westlake Corporation

Formerly	Westlake Chemical Corporation
Company type	Public
Traded as	NYSE: WLK S&P 400 component
Industry	Chemicals Petrochemicals
Founded	1986; 39 years ago (1986)
Founder	Ting Tsung Chao
Headquarters	Houston, Texas, U.S.
Key people	Albert Chao (chairman) Jean-Marc Gilson (CEO)
Revenue	US$12.1 billion (2024)
Operating income	US$875 million (2024)
Net income	US$602 million (2024)
Total assets	US$20.8 billion (2024)
Total equity	US$10.5 billion (2024)
Number of employees	15,540 (2024)
Website	westlake.com
Footnotes / references [1]

Facilities

In 2014, Westlake made a significant expansion in their ethylene production facilities in Sulphur, Louisiana.^[7] In 2014, Westlake acquired the German polyvinyl chloride manufacturer Vinnolit.^[8]

In 2016, Westlake acquired U.S. chlor-alkali producer Axiall Corporation for US$3.8 billion.^[9]

In June 2021, Westlake purchased the United States building products business of Boral for $2.2 billion.^[10][11] In 2022, W. took over Hexion's epoxy division.^[12]

Safety Incidents

In September 2021, an explosion at a Westlake ethylene plant in Sulphur, Louisiana injured 6 workers. In January 2022, an ethylene dichloride tank exploded at a Westlake facility in Westlake, Louisiana injuring 6 workers and triggering a shelter-in-place order.^[13]

Westlake facilities in Louisiana have had uncontrolled chemical releases including benzene, chloroform, ethylene dichloride, hydrogen chloride and vinyl chloride.^[14]

Westlake's operations in Calvert City, Kentucky, have faced scrutiny from regulators. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced findings from a long-term air monitoring study in the surrounding community, and determined emissions of ethylene dichloride were driving elevated cancer risk.^[15] Westlake's Calvert City operations are the main source of ethylene dichloride emissions in the area, according to the EPA.