MOSCOW (MRC) -- Honeywell has announced that Borealis AG selected Honeywell UOP's process technology for a proposed plant in Kallo, Belgium, that converts propane into propylene, a primary ingredient for making plastics, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.
Borealis proposes to use Honeywell UOP's C(3) Oleflex technology to produce a targeted 740,000 mtpy of polymer-grade propylene. When completed, it will be UOP's third C(3) Oleflex unit -- and the largest -- in Europe.
"Demand for propylene in Europe continues to rise at the same time the supply from refineries and steam crackers is beginning to slow down," said Mike Millard, vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP's Process Technology and Equipment business. "Oleflex technology is an on-purpose, reliable route to fill propylene supply gaps and support derivative production in Europe."
In addition to technology licensing, Honeywell is providing the basic engineering design as well as services, equipment, catalysts and adsorbents for the plant.
Honeywell UOP's C(3) Oleflex technology uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert propane to propylene. Its low energy consumption, low emissions and fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system minimizes its impact on the environment. The process design maximizes operating flexibility and on-stream reliability.
In addition to the C(3) Oleflex process, Honeywell UOP also licenses C(4) Oleflex technology, which converts isobutane to isobutylene, the primary ingredient for making high-octane fuel and synthetic rubber.
Honeywell UOP's Oleflex technology has been selected for 37 out of 44 projects globally since 2011, including propane (C(3)), isobutane (iC(4)) and mixed C(3)/ iC(4) service.
As MRC wrote before, in September 2016, Borealis (Vienna), a leading producer of polyolefins, said that it planned to study the feasibility of a new, world-scale PDH plant at its existing production site at Kallo. The study will be carried out over the next nine months with the final investment decision expected in the third quarter of 2018. Potential start-up is scheduled for the second half of 2021.
Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Borealis currently employs around 6,500 and operates in over 120 countries.
MRC