HOUSTON, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) announced today receipt of a number of awards and recognition for excellence in safety during 2010. This includes the Chemical Safety Excellence Award from CSX Corporation and the Pinnacle Award from Union Pacific Railroad, both for rail transportation safety. The company's Lake Charles, LA; Calvert City, KY and Geismar, LA manufacturing sites will be granted a number of awards from the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA), including the NPRA Meritorious Safety Performance Award and the NPRA Safety Achievement Award. The Chlorine Institute Personnel Safety Certificate and the Process Safety 3 Calendar Year Award will be awarded to the Calvert City site.

In learning of these awards, Albert Chao, President & CEO of Westlake Chemical Corporation stated, "We are pleased to have received these awards as recognition of our excellence in safety. Since our founding 25 years ago we have consistently held that the safety of our employees and the communities in which we operate is our most important company value. We congratulate our Westlake team for their contribution toward obtaining these awards and at the same time recognize the need to be ever vigilant in our effort to work safely."

For a more complete list of awards and recognitions received by Westlake Chemical Corporation, please visit www.westlake.com.

Westlake Chemical Corporation (WLK)

Westlake Chemical Corporation is an international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, caustic, VCM, PVC resin and PVC building products including pipe, windows and fence. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.westlake.com.

SOURCE Westlake Chemical Corporation