- Email: [email protected]
More efficient PET production
F O C U S
O N
C ATA LY S T S
(catalysts and silica products) and Performance Chemicals.
research team at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Grace Reports, 1Q 2003 Financial Results, 22 Apr 2003, 1-6 (WR Grace & Co, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044, USA Website: http://www.grace.com)
Japan Chemical Week, 22 May 2003, 44 (2221), 1
Hydrogen peroxide route to PO
NEW PLANTS UOP, Eurochem Technologies signs deal Eurochem Technologies Corp Pte Ltd has signed a deal with UOP LLC of Des Plaines, IL, for the basic engineering design of UOP’s UOP/Hydro methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process unit, which will be used by UOP as part of the firm’s natural gas-to-polymers project at Ibeju Lekke in Lagos State, Nigeria. The project will process natural gas to produce 400,000 tonne/y of highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) and 400,000 tonne/y of polypropylene (PP). The proposed plant will accommodate a methanol unit to convert natural gas into methanol, a polyolefin unit to process ethylene and propylene, and an MTO unit to convert methanol into ethylene and propylene. The facility is slated for completion in 2006. Hydrocarbon Processing, Apr 2003, 82 (4), 34
Fushun Petrochemical to import UOP catalyst plant CNPC Fushun Petrochemical Co, China, is to import a catalyst manufacturing line from UOP at a cost of RMB Yuan 250 M to increase catalyst capacity from 1700 tonne/y to 4300 tonne/y from 2004. China Chemical Reporter, 6 May 2003, 14 (13), 8
NEW TECHNOLOGY Propylene synthesised from ethylene using nanoporous silica catalyst A direct synthesis of propylene and butene from ethylene, using nickel ions supported on a nanoporous silica (MCM-41), has been discovered by a
6
A new, direct process for the manufacture of propylene oxide has been developed by Lyondell and the University of Pittsburgh. The process involves the reaction of propylene with hydrogen peroxide generated in situ using a palladium or a titanium silicate catalyst. Currently about 4 M tonne/y propylene oxide is produced by the chlorohydrin or co-product (styrene is by-product) processes. Chemistry and Industry (London), 5 May 2003, (9), 6 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)
Another direct oxidation route to PO Scientists at Tokyo University and Nippon Shokubai have developed a polyoxometallate catalyst containing silicon and tungsten which epoxidises olefins, including propylene, into their respective epoxides using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent. The compound has selectivity of over 88% and gives yields of from 90% to over 99% depending on the olefin. No efficiency is lost on scale-up. Sumitomo Chemical recently commissioned the first commercialscale direct oxidation plant for PO at Chiba, Japan. This uses a titaniumbased catalyst and cumene hydroperoxide as the oxidizing agent. Chemical Week, 14 May 2003, 165 (18), 30; Chemical & Engineering News, 12 May 2003, 81 (19), 11
More efficient PET production DuPont Inc of Wilmington, DE, has developed NG-3, a process to make bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin. The new process utilises less equipment and fewer steps compared with conventional PET resin processing. The technology will be implemented at Reliance Industries Ltd’s new plant in Hazira, India. Reliance plans to raise the production capacity of its Relpet PET polyester packaging resin production plant to 300,000 tonne/y from 80,000 tonne/y. The plant is scheduled for 3Q 2003 with an initial capacity of 220,000 tonne/y. The plant
will process low-molecular-weight polymer coming from the continuous polymerization section of the NG-3 unit utilizing UOP Sinco’s solid-state polymerisation unit. Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2003, 99 (4), 12-14
Brilen & Nurel: antimony-free PET fibres Nurel SA of Barcelona, Spain and Brilen SA of Zaragosa, Spain have produced antimony-free PET fibres that can be utilised in making polyester garments for children or people with sensitive skin or allergy problems. The companies have used an antimony-free catalyst that is said to eliminate the need to produce substances harmful to people and the environment. The new ecological fibre is also said to reduce the costs incurred for waste treatment. Flameretardant and high-tenacity yarns, yarns with low capillarity and extremely low shrinkage factor for PVC coating applications, and marine finish yarns for offshore moorings are some of the innovations developed for industrial textiles. Chemical Fibers International, Apr 2003, 53 (2), 80-81
JSR develops thermoplastic elastomer film grade A new co-catalyst is being used by JSR Corp for making a new polybutadiene thermoplastic elastomer for manufacturing high performance film. The new material will be suitable for shrink-wrap films and those used to preserve product freshness. The syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene material exhibits the same elasticity as rubber and the same hardness of plastics. South America and Italy are the company’s main export markets, with total exports accounting for 70% of production. The new catalyst technology is to be installed at one of the company’s two production lines in Chiba. These have a combined capacity of 45,000 tonne/y. Most of the company’s output is currently for the shoe sector. JSR is making strenuous efforts to increase its sales in China by working with manufacturers of injection moulding machines. Japan Chemical Week, 15 May 2003, 44 (2220), 1
JULY 2003
O N
C ATA LY S T S
(catalysts and silica products) and Performance Chemicals.
research team at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Grace Reports, 1Q 2003 Financial Results, 22 Apr 2003, 1-6 (WR Grace & Co, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044, USA Website: http://www.grace.com)
Japan Chemical Week, 22 May 2003, 44 (2221), 1
Hydrogen peroxide route to PO
NEW PLANTS UOP, Eurochem Technologies signs deal Eurochem Technologies Corp Pte Ltd has signed a deal with UOP LLC of Des Plaines, IL, for the basic engineering design of UOP’s UOP/Hydro methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process unit, which will be used by UOP as part of the firm’s natural gas-to-polymers project at Ibeju Lekke in Lagos State, Nigeria. The project will process natural gas to produce 400,000 tonne/y of highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) and 400,000 tonne/y of polypropylene (PP). The proposed plant will accommodate a methanol unit to convert natural gas into methanol, a polyolefin unit to process ethylene and propylene, and an MTO unit to convert methanol into ethylene and propylene. The facility is slated for completion in 2006. Hydrocarbon Processing, Apr 2003, 82 (4), 34
Fushun Petrochemical to import UOP catalyst plant CNPC Fushun Petrochemical Co, China, is to import a catalyst manufacturing line from UOP at a cost of RMB Yuan 250 M to increase catalyst capacity from 1700 tonne/y to 4300 tonne/y from 2004. China Chemical Reporter, 6 May 2003, 14 (13), 8
NEW TECHNOLOGY Propylene synthesised from ethylene using nanoporous silica catalyst A direct synthesis of propylene and butene from ethylene, using nickel ions supported on a nanoporous silica (MCM-41), has been discovered by a
6
A new, direct process for the manufacture of propylene oxide has been developed by Lyondell and the University of Pittsburgh. The process involves the reaction of propylene with hydrogen peroxide generated in situ using a palladium or a titanium silicate catalyst. Currently about 4 M tonne/y propylene oxide is produced by the chlorohydrin or co-product (styrene is by-product) processes. Chemistry and Industry (London), 5 May 2003, (9), 6 (Website: http://www.chemind.org)
Another direct oxidation route to PO Scientists at Tokyo University and Nippon Shokubai have developed a polyoxometallate catalyst containing silicon and tungsten which epoxidises olefins, including propylene, into their respective epoxides using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent. The compound has selectivity of over 88% and gives yields of from 90% to over 99% depending on the olefin. No efficiency is lost on scale-up. Sumitomo Chemical recently commissioned the first commercialscale direct oxidation plant for PO at Chiba, Japan. This uses a titaniumbased catalyst and cumene hydroperoxide as the oxidizing agent. Chemical Week, 14 May 2003, 165 (18), 30; Chemical & Engineering News, 12 May 2003, 81 (19), 11
More efficient PET production DuPont Inc of Wilmington, DE, has developed NG-3, a process to make bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin. The new process utilises less equipment and fewer steps compared with conventional PET resin processing. The technology will be implemented at Reliance Industries Ltd’s new plant in Hazira, India. Reliance plans to raise the production capacity of its Relpet PET polyester packaging resin production plant to 300,000 tonne/y from 80,000 tonne/y. The plant is scheduled for 3Q 2003 with an initial capacity of 220,000 tonne/y. The plant
will process low-molecular-weight polymer coming from the continuous polymerization section of the NG-3 unit utilizing UOP Sinco’s solid-state polymerisation unit. Chemical Engineering Progress, Apr 2003, 99 (4), 12-14
Brilen & Nurel: antimony-free PET fibres Nurel SA of Barcelona, Spain and Brilen SA of Zaragosa, Spain have produced antimony-free PET fibres that can be utilised in making polyester garments for children or people with sensitive skin or allergy problems. The companies have used an antimony-free catalyst that is said to eliminate the need to produce substances harmful to people and the environment. The new ecological fibre is also said to reduce the costs incurred for waste treatment. Flameretardant and high-tenacity yarns, yarns with low capillarity and extremely low shrinkage factor for PVC coating applications, and marine finish yarns for offshore moorings are some of the innovations developed for industrial textiles. Chemical Fibers International, Apr 2003, 53 (2), 80-81
JSR develops thermoplastic elastomer film grade A new co-catalyst is being used by JSR Corp for making a new polybutadiene thermoplastic elastomer for manufacturing high performance film. The new material will be suitable for shrink-wrap films and those used to preserve product freshness. The syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene material exhibits the same elasticity as rubber and the same hardness of plastics. South America and Italy are the company’s main export markets, with total exports accounting for 70% of production. The new catalyst technology is to be installed at one of the company’s two production lines in Chiba. These have a combined capacity of 45,000 tonne/y. Most of the company’s output is currently for the shoe sector. JSR is making strenuous efforts to increase its sales in China by working with manufacturers of injection moulding machines. Japan Chemical Week, 15 May 2003, 44 (2220), 1
JULY 2003