May 4, 2022--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Westlake Chemical (NYSE:WLK) is building out its capacity for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, vinyl chloride monomers (VCM) and other substances used in a variety of everyday petrochemical products, after higher sales prices and margins led to record profits in first-quarter 2022.

"We continued to see robust residential construction and remodeling activity drive demand for PVC resin, as well as for products in our Housing and Infrastructure Products segment," said Albert Chao, the chief executive officer of Westlake. The company also significantly expanded its resin business during the quarter with a major acquisition.

Industrial Info is tracking more than $1.2 billion worth of active chemical-plant projects involving Westlake, more than half of which is attributed to plant expansions.