Flexible polyols expansion completed by Shell at Pernis complex

03-Jul-08

In a bid to meet the growing demand for quality products globally, Shell Chemicals Europe BV has completed capacity expansion of flexible polyols production at Pernis complex in The Netherlands, hiking capacity to 255,000 tpa. 100,000 tons of additional flexible polyol capability has come onstream, strengthening Shell's commitment to being a major base polyol supplier. The expansion at Pernis has been achieved by making optimal use of existing assets and through the application of improved process technology. The technology step change offers a manufacturing process with an improved environmental footprint compared to traditional processes. This includes lower energy consumption and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, ceasing the use of certain process chemicals, while using the required feedstocks more efficiently. It also generates less solid waste and less wastewater. The new flexible polyol capacity at Pernis will help meet increased global demand for polyols in slabstock foam, CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers) and moulding applications, which are growing globally at an average of 4-5% pa. Shell Chemicals is a global technology leader in propylene oxide (PO), the feedstock for polyol production with state-of-the-art styrene monomer propylene oxide (SM/PO) plants in operation at Moerdijk, The Netherlands, Seraya in Singapore and the Nanhai petrochemicals complex (a 50:50 joint venture with CNOOC Petrochemicals Investment Limited) in China. Shell is also considering an investment in a world scale SM/PO plant in either Asia Pacific or the Middle East.