Dow’s UNIPOL™ Polypropylene (PP) Technology growing at a rapid pace in China

27-Aug-10

The use of UNIPOL™ Polypropylene (PP) Technology from Dow Basic Plastics Licensing and Catalysts continues to grow at a rapid pace in China. China Shenhua Coal to Liquid and Chemical Baotou Coal Chemical Company is the latest company to start up a plant using this technology and is the first in China to manufacture PP made from coal-generated olefins. A leader among Chinese manufacturers pioneering the coal-based production of chemicals and plastics, Shenhua Baotou Coal Chemicals Company’s 300,000 tpa Polypropylene facility came online earlier this month in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, The People’s Republic of China. According to the company, its gasification technology converts coal into a synthesis gas (or syngas); syngas is used to produce methanol, which is transformed into olefins – a building block for producing polypropylene. UNIPOL™ PP Process Technology is an all gas-phase process for producing the broadest range of polypropylene resins. Its simple design is both consistent in terms of product quality and energy efficient, requiring no equipment for handling, separating or recycling solvents. The system’s fluidized-bed reactors and high performance SHAC™ Catalyst systems give manufacturers the flexibility to produce homopolymers, random copolymers and impact copolymers. “The startup of this highly advanced coal-based PP production facility highlights how Dow’s ongoing investment in technology – such as SHACTM Catalysts and CONSISTATM advanced catalyst systems – continues to make UNIPOLTM PP Process Technology the most advanced and versatile PP licensing option on the market today,” said Tracy Cleckler, global commercial director for Dow Basic Plastics Licensing & Catalyst. “Demand for PP is growing rapidly in China and we are working with our customers to help meet industry needs in the region at the lowest total investment and operating costs.” UNIPOLTM PP Process Technology from Dow accounts for 17% of global PP output.