DRPIC to license LyondellBasell technology for new processing facility
New petrochemical project is expected to become a significant player in the region, due to its location on Oman’s eastern seaboard
Dutch-based LyondellBasell has announced that it has been selected by the Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company (DRPIC) to outfit a new facility in Al Duqm, Oman. LyondellBasell is a specialist in the polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) processing field.
According to a statement, the new facility will feature a 280 KTA polypropylene plant that will utilise LyondellBasell’s Spheripol PP process technology, along with a 480 KTA high-density polyethylene plant based on LyondellBasell’s Hostalen ACP process technology.
“LyondellBasell’s market leadership in polymer process technologies is once again confirmed with this significant award by DRPIC. The selection by DRPIC of the Spheripol technology as the benchmark manufacturing platform for polypropylene resins and the Hostalen ACP technology as the leading low-pressure slurry process for the production of HDPE resins, shows once again the confidence operators have in products produced with our technologies,” said Neil Nadalin, director of Licensing at LyondellBasell.
Spheripol is said to be the leading PP process with more than 30m tons of licensed capacity. The latest fifth generation Spheripol technology includes process improvements that further maximise operational efficiency, the statement said.
It also said that the Hostalen ACP process technology produces high performance, multi-modal HDPE resins with an industry-leading stiffness/toughness balance, impact resistance, high stress cracking resistance and process advantages used in pressure pipe, film and blow molding applications.
“The Spheripol and Hostalen technology licenses forms part of 12 technology license packages awarded by DRPIC to international technology providers, advancing the FrontEnd Engineering and Design progress toward achieving shareholders’ Final Investment Decision in 2021. Due to the increasing global demand for petrochemical products, the DRPIC Petrochemical Project will become a significant player in the region, benefiting from its strategic location on the Oman eastern seaboard with direct access to international markets. Working with long established technology licensors enables us to develop a world class project empowering the future development of downstream petrochemical industries in the Special Economic Zone of Duqm,” said Dr Salim Al Huthaili, CEO of DRPIC.
The DRPIC Spheripol plant is expected to begin operations using Avant ZN catalyst, while the Hostalen plant will commence operations using Avant Z501 and Avant Z509-1 catalysts to produce a full range of multi-modal HDPE products.
