Westlake

Westlake is an international manufacturer and supplier in the petrochemical industry, based in Houston and founded in 1986 by T. T. Chao. The company started with a polyethylene plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has expanded to operate 14 sites, including 13 in the U.S., one in Alberta, Canada, and a joint venture in Suzhou, China. Westlake's operations are divided into two main segments: vinyls and olefins. The vinyl segment produces vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), caustic soda, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and various downstream products like PVC pipe and garden accessories. The olefins segment manufactures ethylene, styrene, propylene, and different types of polyethylene, including low density polyethylene (LDPE), which Westlake is the largest producer of in the U.S. The company employs around 2,200 people and generates over $2.5 billion in annual revenue, with leadership currently under James and Albert Chao.