Honeywell (Morris Plains, N.J.; www.honeywell.com) announced that Borealis AG (Vienna, Austria; www.borealisgroup.com) selected Honeywell UOP’s process technology for a proposed plant in Kallo, Belgium, that converts propane into propylene (PP), a primary ingredient for making plastics.
Borealis proposes to use Honeywell UOP’s C3 Oleflex technology to produce a targeted 740,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) of polymer-grade propylene. When completed, it will be UOP’s third C3 Oleflex unit – and the largest – in Europe.
“Demand for propylene in Europe continues to rise at the same time the supply from refineries and steam crackers is beginning to slow down,” said Mike Millard, vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP’s Process Technology and Equipment business. “Oleflex technology is an on-purpose, reliable route to fill propylene supply gaps and support derivative production in Europe.”
In addition to technology licensing, Honeywell is providing the basic engineering design as well as services, equipment, catalysts and adsorbents for the plant.
Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex technology uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert propane to propylene and is proven to have the lowest cash cost of production and the highest return on investment compared with competing technologies. Its low energy consumption, low emissions and fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system minimizes its impact on the environment. The unique process design maximizes operating flexibility and on-stream reliability.
In addition to the C3 Oleflex process, Honeywell UOP also licenses C4 Oleflex technology, which converts isobutane to isobutylene, the primary ingredient for making high-octane fuel and synthetic rubber.
A feasibility study for the Kallo plant is under way, with final investment decision expected in the third quarter of 2018 and potential start-up of the plant in the second half of 2021.