HOUSTON, April, 25, 2005 - Lyondell Chemical Company (NYSE:LYO) has increased ARCOSOLV? PM (propylene glycol methyl ether) capacity to meet increasing global customer demand.

Lyondell has upped the production of ARCOSOLV PM from 95,000 metric tons to 130,000 metric tons at its Botlek plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Lyondell also produces ARCOSOLV PM at its Bayport plant in Pasadena, Texas. This expansion has been made possible through Operational Excellence, Lyondell's approach to driving continuous improvement in its manufacturing and distribution operations, resulting in a low-cost debottleneck.

"The capacity increase for ARCOSOLV PM sends a strong message to our customers that we plan to meet their current and future needs for this key solvent," says Marc Quintus, business manager, acetyls, solvents and C4 specialties, EMEA, Lyondell. "With Lyondell's strength in the production of propylene oxide, and our two world-scale ARCOSOLV PM plants, which now have a combined capacity of 190,000 metric tons, Lyondell confirms its commitment to be a leading supplier of propylene oxide-based glycol ethers."

ARCOSOLV PM provides good solvency for many resin applications, including acrylics, epoxies, alkyds, polyesters, nitrocellulose and polyurethanes. It is useful in cleaning, textile, adhesive and ink formulations, and as an intermediate for agricultural products. ARCOSOLV PM and ARCOSOLV PM acetate are also used in production of electronic components.

Lyondell offers an extensive line of oxygenated solvents, including P-series (propylene-based) and E-series (ethylene-based) glycol ethers and acetates, TBAcT brand of tertiary butyl acetate, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).

Lyondell Chemical Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is North America's third-largest independent, publicly traded chemical company. Lyondell is a major global manufacturer of basic chemicals and derivatives including ethylene, propylene, titanium dioxide, styrene, polyethylene, propylene oxide and acetyls. It also is a significant producer of gasoline blending components. The company has a 58.75 percent interest in LYONDELL-CITGO Refining LP, a refiner of heavy, high- sulfur crude oil. Lyondell is a global company operating on five continents and employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.

ARCOSOLV is a trademark of BP and is licensed to Lyondell Chemical Company. TBAc is a trademark of Lyondell Chemical Company.

SOURCE: Lyondell Chemical Co.

CONTACT:
Eric Stebel
713-309-3987
eric.stebel@lyondell.com