SARNIA, Ont. - Nova Chemicals says it's moving forward with several projects in the area of Sarnia, Ont., and is still evaluating options for a new $1-billion polyethylene plant.

Nova says growth expected to take place between 2014 and 2018 will include several expansions and upgrades to its facilities in the area.

The projects include expanding the Corunna cracker ethylene manufacturing capacity by about 20 per cent, work on the Moore low-density polyethylene line, and a retrofit of the Moore high-density line.

Nova CEO Randy Woelfel says the projects could cost more than $300 million.

Woelfel says Nova will continue to investigate options for a second world-scale facility that could be located in Sarnia-Lambton, the U.S. Gulf Coast or elsewhere in the world.

Economic Development Minister Eric Hoskins applauds Nova's investment in Sarnia-Lambton, saying it will sustain about 1,000 direct full-time and contractor jobs.