Total sets underway demo plant to produce olefins and polyolefins from methanol

03-Oct-08

World-class chemicals manufacturer, Total has set underway its demonstration plant to produce olefins and polyolefins from methanol at its Feluy-based petrochemicals complex in Belgium. The petrochemicals industry worldwide currently relies on oil and natural gas derivatives-naphtha or ethane-to produce olefins, which are further converted into polyolefins, the raw material for plastics. Total's integrated methanol-to-olefins unit is the world's first application of an innovative technology that helps to diversify the source of plastic feedstock. The Feluy-based pilot plant will examine the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of two integrated processes that produce olefins and further polyolefins from methanol, on a quasi-industrial scale. First, the UOP*/Hydro Methanol To Olefins (MTO) process converts methanol into light olefins (ethylene and propylene) and heavier olefins. The heavy olefins are in turn converted into light olefins, more specifically into propylene, via the UOP/Total Petrochemicals Olefin Cracking Process (OCP). These olefins are further converted into polyolefins at the existing pilot polymerization unit located nearby, at Total's research center in Feluy. The new MTO/OCP unit, requiring an investment of EUR 45 mln will help Total to diversify the sources of petrochemical feedstock and at the same time ramp up the propylene yield which is a major benefit in light of strong polypropylene demand.