Left bank or right bank? It doesn’t matter to John van Wanrooij. The 52-year-old Operations Representative lives in a residential area in Bergen op Zoom … in the middle of the Oosterschelde. From there to his workplace on the Scheldelaan? That’s a nice bike ride or fitness run.
The ethane cracker. That’s why John van Wanrooij came to INEOS. “We’re ensuring that our contractor delivers a good installation – world-class in terms of operability, reliability, safety and environment.”
Activities in Antwerp
To participate in the design, construction and operation of a cracker – from beginning to end – that was John’s dream. “In the last couple of decades, it seemed as if that dream could only come true if I moved to the United States, the Middle East or China. Until INEOS decided to build one in Europe, only 30 km from my front door.”
At the moment, Project ONE is taking place a little further away from home, John admits. But that will change. “Currently a UK firm is guiding us in this huge project. In addition, two large design firms are also working for us in Munich and Paris. But the centre of Project ONE’s activities will increasingly shift to Antwerp – especially when the construction of the unit begins.”
From design to operational
Together with two colleagues, John is setting up an operations organization for the ethane cracker. “With our experience, we are closely involved in the plant’s design. We’re ensuring that our contractor delivers a good installation – world-class in terms of operability, reliability, safety and environment.”
Of course, the ethane cracker will not be operational overnight. “I hope that we’ll be able to start up the unit in about five years. By that time, we want to have established an enthusiastic team in Lillo. A team that gives the cracker all the attention and love that are needed to produce safely and with full regard for the environment.”
Chemistry’s moral obligation
That love must come from both sides, John realizes. “I hope that by that time we will have found a better balance in our society. The realization that there must be a place for the chemical industry in Europe – an industry that produces so many products that we need in our daily lives. But there must also be an increasing awareness in our industry that this is only possible if we fulfil our moral and social obligation with regard to the climate and keep the soil, air and water clean. In that respect, our new INEOS installations are going to be the best student in the class.”
“Our industry must fulfil its moral and social obligation with regard to climate and environment”
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