Refineries and Chemical Plants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Last reviewed: 2026-05-01
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana area hosts one of the most concentrated petrochemical corridors in the world, stretching along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Major facilities include the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge refinery and chemical complex (one of the largest integrated sites in the US), Shell Geismar chemical plant, BASF Geismar, and multiple Dow facilities in Plaquemine and St. Charles Parish. The corridor includes dozens of chemical manufacturing plants processing everything from basic petrochemicals to specialty materials. Annual maintenance and capital spending across the corridor runs into the billions.
Key Facts
ExxonMobil Baton Rouge
The ExxonMobil Baton Rouge complex is one of the largest integrated refinery and chemical manufacturing sites in the United States. The refinery processes several hundred thousand barrels per day of crude oil, while the adjacent chemical plant produces polyethylene, polypropylene, and other polymers. The complex is a major employer in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Shell and BASF Geismar
Shell operates a major chemical manufacturing plant in Geismar, Louisiana, producing alpha olefins, ethylene oxide, and other intermediates. BASF also operates a significant chemical complex in Geismar. Together with other Geismar operators, this area forms a dense cluster of chemical manufacturing along the Mississippi River south of Baton Rouge.
Dow Plaquemine and St. Charles
Dow operates major chemical manufacturing facilities in Plaquemine and St. Charles Parish. The Plaquemine complex produces a range of chemicals including epoxy resins and specialty materials. These facilities complement Dow's larger Freeport operations in Texas and are significant contributors to the Louisiana petrochemical economy.
Mississippi River Corridor
The Mississippi River industrial corridor from Baton Rouge to New Orleans includes dozens of chemical plants, refineries, and supporting facilities. The river provides barge access for raw materials and finished products, while a network of pipelines connects facilities to natural gas and NGL supplies. This corridor collectively represents billions in annual maintenance and capital spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest industrial facility in Baton Rouge?
The ExxonMobil Baton Rouge complex is the largest, combining a major refinery with extensive chemical manufacturing operations. It is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical sites in the United States.
What chemicals are made in the Baton Rouge area?
The Baton Rouge corridor produces polyethylene, polypropylene, alpha olefins, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, epoxy resins, and hundreds of other chemical products. The diversity of production creates broad vendor opportunities across equipment categories.
How does the Baton Rouge market compare to Houston?
The Baton Rouge corridor is smaller than Houston in total refining capacity but has a higher concentration of chemical manufacturing. Louisiana's business incentives and lower cost of living make it competitive for industrial operations and attract ongoing capital investment.
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