Statement re ATOFINA

RNS Number:6039J
Total Fina Elf.
3 April 2003


    ATOFINA increases capacity at its Antwerp polyethylene plant in Belgium

Paris, April 3, 2003 - ATOFINA, the Chemicals branch of the TotalFinaElf Group,
inaugurated on 3rd April 2003, new industrial facilities for increased
polyethylene (HDPE) production at its Antwerp plant in Belgium. The 160,000 tpa
increase brings the site's overall capacity up to 510,000 tpa, and consolidates
ATOFINA's position as a producer of specialized polyethylene grades.

Developed from the Company's own innovative state of the art production
technologies, this investment allows the Antwerp plant to produce new bimodal
grades for various applications, resins from metallocene catalysts, and a wide
range of coloured resins for pipe, in addition to conventional polyethylene
grades. This project will also enable ATOFINA to improve and expand its
logistics operations. These are handled jointly with Katoennatie, which has set
up its largest logistics platform adjacent to the polyethylene plant to provide
worldwide customer service.

The Antwerp polyethylene plant accounts for 10% of polyethylene (HDPE)
consumption in Western Europe (13% when taking into account the Feluy plant,
also in Belgium), and is the largest single production site for coloured HDPE
resins.

ATOFINA produces polyethylene on seven sites around the world: Antwerp and Feluy
in Belgium, Gonfreville, Carling, Balan and Mont in France, and Bayport in the
United States. 2003 production capacities on both sides of the Atlantic
represent some 2 million tonnes. ATOFINA is also part of a joint venture in
Qatar, and is currently finalising negotiations with Samsung on a further joint
venture in Korea.
 
                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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