2014-2016 Exhibitions
US energy infrastructure company CB&I and Swiss speciality chemicals firm Clariant announced today their new Ziegler-Natta (ZN) polypropylene (PP) catalyst production plant in Louisville, Kentucky, is on schedule to begin production in 2015. The plant is part of a long-term strategic partnership between Clariant’s Catalysts business unit and CB&I’s Lummus Novolen Technology business. Based at Clariant’s largest US production hub, the facility will combine innovative catalysts - jointly developed by both companies with high-capacity output to serve the fast growing PP industry.
The partnership strengthens both companies’ position in PP catalyst and technology by leveraging Clariant’s catalyst research and development and production know-how together with CB&I’s vast knowledge in catalyst, process design and licensing of PP plants.
Clariant and CB&I have also developed a series of new ZN PP catalysts to be produced in the Louisville plant The PolyMax and NHP (Novolen High Performance) catalyst series with merged and improved technical and commercial features is a drop-in catalyst based on a ‘one-for-all’ solution. Both series are currently being tested in several commercial PP plants.
Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President, Head of BU Catalysts Clariant, states: “The successful joint development of new generation PP 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.”
“PP producers will benefit from this joint catalyst development effort. High productivity, versatility and quality consistency will be the major benefits coupled with competitive economics,” says Daniel McCarthy, President of CB&I’s Technology operating group.
(PRA)
