CB&I and Clariant have announced that the Ziegler-Natta (ZN) polypropylene catalyst plant in Kentucky, US, is on track to commence operations in 2015. The facility, which is located at Clariant's US production hub, will combine catalysts developed by both companies, to cater to the growing polypropylene industry. The project is part of a strategic partnership between Clariant's catalysts business unit and CB&I's Lummus Novolen technology business. It will strengthen the companies' presence in polypropylene catalysts and technology by taking advantage of Clariant's catalyst R&D and production expertise alongside CB&I's know-how in catalysts, process design and licensing of polypropylene plants.
Clariant and CB&I's R&D teams have recently developed a series of new ZN polypropylene catalysts, which will be produced at the Louisville plant. With improved technical and commercial features from Clariant and CB&I, the PolyMax and Novolen high-performance catalyst series are currently being tested in commercial polypropylene plants.
Clariant senior vice-president and catalyst business unit head Stefan Heuser said: "The sucessful joint-development of new generation polypropylene catalyst and progressing of Louisville plant are key milestones for our catalyst business. "It strengthens greatly our competitive position in this attractive and fast-growing market." CB&I technology president Daniel McCarthy said: "Polypropylene producers will benefit from this joint catalyst development effort.
"High productivity, versatility and quality consistency will be the major benefits coupled with competitive economics."
23-Jul-14 
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