LyondellBasell grants Spheripol technology license to ZapSibNeftekhim

(lyondellbasell) -- LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) today announced that ZapSibNeftekhim L.L.C, a fully owned subsidiary of SIBUR, has selected the Spheripol process technology from LyondellBasell for a new 500 KT per year single-line polypropylene (PP) plant to be built in Tobolsk, Russia Federation. Start-up is projected after 2017.

"This will be the largest capacity plant built to date using the Spheripol process technology," said Bob Patel, Senior Vice President of Olefins and Polyolefins, Europe, Asia, International (EAI) and Technology at LyondellBasell. “This will provide ZapSibNeftekhim an economical method to produce a wide range of premium-quality PP grades."

Key features of Spheripol technology include leading monomer consumption, unmatched product quality, an operability among the best in the industry, fast start-up and grade changes, and capacities of up to 550 KT per year, which make it the technology of choice for the production of polypropylene.

LyondellBasell is a leading licensor of polypropylene and polyethylene technologies with more than 250 polyolefin process licenses.

LyondellBasell is one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies. The company manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.
MRC

(linde-engineering) -- Linde Engineering, a division of The Linde Group, is set to build a new Alpha-Sablin plant for the production of linear alpha olefins (LAO) in Nizhnekamsk, Russian Federation, which upon completion will be operated by Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNH), a leading Russian petrochemical producer.

NKNH awarded Linde Engineering contracts for license, basic/detail engineering and supply of equipment and materials for revamping of NKNH's existing LAO plant.

The plant is expected to come on-stream by mid of 2014, supplying NKNH with 37.5 kta linear alpha olefins with maximized production of C4 and C6 fractions. The revamp project will partially make use of the existing equipment of NKNH’s former LAO plant with implementation of Alpha-Sablin technology.

Alpha-Sablin is a superior and flexible full range process for the production of linear alpha olefins by selective catalytic oligomerization of polymer grade ethylene, jointly developed and owned by Linde Engineering and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic).

Since 2009 the first full scale Alpha-Sablin plant with a capacity of 150 kta linear alpha olefins built for Jubail United Petrochemical Company (United) in Al Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has successfully demonstrated the outstanding performance and profitability of the Alpha-Sablin process.
MRC

(chemicals-technology) -- Thermoplastic resin producer Braskem has acquired the propylene splitter assets at Sunoco's former refinery in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, US.

The resin producer has also secured feedstock supply from multiple sources that ensures the continuing operations of the refinery.

Braskem, which produces more than 35 billion pounds of thermoplastic resins and other petrochemicals each year, will use the splitter assets to process propylene for use in its adjacent polypropylene plant.

Braskem said that the acquisition is aimed at preserving the viability of its Marcus Hook polypropylene facility for the future, in addition to strengthening the company's presence in the North American petrochemical market. The company has five polypropylene production plants in the US.

In September 2011, Braskem acquired Dow Chemical Company's polypropylene business from The Dow Chemical Company, acquiring two manufacturing plants in the US and two in Germany, with a total annual polypropylene production capacity of 1.05 million tons.
MRC

(chemicals-technology) -- The wholly owned subsidiary of JBF Industries, JBF Petrochemicals, has selected BP's purified terephthalic acid (PTA) technology for its proposed plant in Mangalore, India.

JBF is planning to construct a 1.25mtpa unit for the production of PTA, which is used as a feedstock for polyesters used in textiles and packaging. The plant is expected to become operational by end of 2014.

Nick Elmslie, BP Global Petrochemicals business chief executive, said the first third party non-affiliate licence recognises the quality of BP's technology and will build on the excellent relationship between the two companies.

"Our PTA technology has significantly lower capital and operating costs compared with conventional PTA plants and is more energy efficient, uses less water and produces less solid waste than its competitors,'' Elmslie added.

B. C. Arya, JBF Industries chairman and director, said the investment is highly strategic for the company, fulfilling its captive requirements for PTA at the lowest possible cost.
"This will make our integrated operations in India and the UAE highly competitive for the long term and underpin our position as one of the world's leading polyester producers," Arya added.

Three or four new world-scale PTA plants annually will be needed as the PTA market is now greater than 50mtpa a year and is continuing to grow at close to seven percent, according to Elmslie.
MRC

(Plastemart) -- Astra Polymers, a developer and producer of plastic compounds in the Middle East, has entered into a new cooperative agreement with BASF Plastic Additives Middle East to manufacture customer specific blends (CSB) in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement integrates the capabilities of both the companies and brings two innovative technologies for additive blends to clients in the region. Astra Polymers was operating BASF-owned CSB production lines for many years at its Dammam site. BASF Plastic Additives is responsible for marketing and selling the CSB products. The collaboration will help BASF to retain its leadership status in the Middle East plastic additives market.

Astra Polymers is the leading and preferable Masterbatch, Additive and Thermoplastic compounds manufacturing company. Astra Polymers produce masterbatch solutions that are either general purpose or application specific. Application specific grades include masterbatch for: Fiber, (PP, PET, PE), BOPP, Agricultural, Horticultural & Multi-layer films, PET Preform / sheet production & Specialist Pipe manufacture.
MRC