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June 05, 2020Global polyolefins technology report - 2020
Polyethylene and polypropylene are the most common polyolefins and are used globally in a wide range of market segments, including packaging, consumer products, agriculture, pipe and conduit, storage containers, building and construction, and automotive.
Three primary forces drive technology development in polyolefins: product performance (improved properties, new applications), process technology (increased plant scale, simplified design), and process chemistry (new catalysts, increased yield).
Typical Single Line Plant Capacity
Nexant’s recently issued Global Polyolefins Technology Report 2020 provides an updated overview of the technological and economic aspects of the processes used to produce low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP), covering more than 30 technologies in a single report.
The report covers all major licensed technologies as well as technologies that are not licensed but are important to the polyolefins industry. Profiles, covering recent developments, background (including lists plants employing the technology), and process description, are presented for technologies developed by:
- LDPE – Tubular – ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell, SABIC, Versalis
- LDPE – Autoclave – ExxonMobil, ECI Group (formerly ICI/Simon Carves), LyondellBasell, Versalis
- LLDPE and Swing – Gas Phase – INEOS, LyondellBasell, Mitsui, Univation
- LLDPE and Swing – Solution – Borealis, Dow, NOVA
- HDPE (Dedicated) – Ziegler Slurry – LyondellBasell, Mitsui
- HDPE (Dedicated) – Slurry Loop – Borealis, Chevron Phillips, INEOS
- HDPE (Dedicated) – Gas Phase – LyondellBasell, Univation
- Polypropylene – Gas Phase – Grace, INEOS, Japan Polypropylene, Lummus Novolen Technology, LyondellBasell, Sumitomo
- Polypropylene – Bulk – Borealis, ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell, Mitsui
Detailed cost of production estimates are developed on a 1Q20 basis for plants located in the United States Gulf Coast (USGC), coastal China, and the Middle East for various technologies for the following resin types:
- LDPE – homopolymer LDPE, EVA (18% VA), EVA (28% VA)
- LLDPE – conventional LLDPE film (butene-1, hexene-1, octene-1), second generation (metallocene/single site and easy processing) LLDPE film (butene-1, hexene-1, octene-1)
- HDPE – homopolymer injection molding grade, copolymer bimodal film grade, copolymer bimodal pipe grade
- Polypropylene – homopolymer injection molding grade, impact copolymer automotive grade
Estimates reflect the current capital cost environment and state-of the-art plant scale
Click here to download the Report Table of Contents
Nexant’s Technology and Costs Programs examine the impact of new, emerging and improved industrial technologies on the comparative economics of different process routes in various geographic regions, as well as the cost competitiveness of individual production plants. These include Technoeconomics – Energy & Chemicals (TECH), Biorenewable Insights, Cost Curves, and Sector Technology Analysis.
The Global Polyolefins Technology Report is part of the Sector Technology Analysis Program and is published on a biennial schedule.
Find out more:
Download Technology and Costs Brochure
The Author
Marcos Nogueira Cesar – Global Vice President, Nexant Subscriptions
