NOVA Chemicals is resuming construction activities in a phased approach at its Corunna site.

The company said beginning Thursday, April 16 it will gradually increase the number of workers involved in construction of the new polyethylene plant and the cracker expansion project.

NOVA announced late last month that it was sending home the majority of the construction workers at the Corunna site to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. In an updated statement Wednesday, the company said it intends to safely and steadily resume some construction activities on both projects.

“In keeping with Ontario government directives for significant industrial petrochemical projects and our company’s foundational principles and core values, NOVA Chemicals has taken significant steps to maintain the health and safety of our employees, contractors and community,” the statement said.

NOVA Chemicals President and CEO Todd Karran said many of them are working from home until future notice but they have site-critical employees and contractors working at their manufacturing locations and construction projects.

“I continue to be impressed by the resiliency and dedication of our workforce and I’m confident that together we are taking the necessary precautions to keep our people safe,” said Karran. “With a strong commitment to social distancing and working responsibly, we can do our part to flatten the curve.”

NOVA Chemicals is building a new polyethylene plant at its new Rokeby Line site adjacent to the existing Corunna plant. The Corunna cracker is being expanded to provide additional ethylene feedstock.

The start-up of the expanded facilities, costing approximately $2.2 billion, was initially targeted for late 2021.