ExxonMobil Chemical plans to increase annual output of its high performance hydrocarbon fluids by about 10% through in Singapore and Antwerp up to 2016.

The US oil and petrochemicals major, which claims to be the leading producer of hydrocarbon fluids specifically formulated for resource extraction, industrial processing and a wide range of consumer applications, said the capacity upgrade is aimed at extending its supply capability in response to rapidly growing global demand.

Fluids marketing manager Declan Dixon said the expansion projects, which upgrade refining streams into specialty chemical products, build on other recently announced large investment projects at the Singapore and Antwerp facilities.

At Singapore, its largest integrated refining and chemical manufacturing site, ExxonMobil has expanded production to meet expected demand across the Asia Pacific region. At Antwerp, it has invested $2 billion over the past decade.

The Belgian hydrocarbon fluids expansion is aimed at strengthening the US company's integrated downstream and chemical portfolio in northwest Europe.