27-11-2017

Grace licenses UNIPOL® PP process technology to Oriental Energy (Ningbo)

W. R. Grace & Co, the leading supplier of polyolefin catalyst technology and polypropylene (PP) process technology, has contracted to license its UNIPOL® PP Process Technology to Oriental Energy (Ningbo) New Material Co., Ltd. for an expansion at its facility in Ningbo, China. The two new 400-kiloton capacity lines are expected to begin operations in 2020 to produce homopolymer and random copolymers.

The Ningbo operation is a subsidiary of Oriental Energy Co. Ltd. of Nanjing City, China, a comprehensive alkane resources operator that develops clean energy and new material for the international market. Oriental Energy previously licensed UNIPOL® PP Process Technology for a 400-kiloton PP line in 2012.

The project represents the 22nd and 23rd UNIPOL® PP Process Technology reactor lines licensed in China. With this license, the total design and operating capacity of UNIPOL® PP lines in China will exceed 7,500 kilotons per year.

Grace's all gas-phase UNIPOL® PP Process Technology provides the most advanced and broadest range of homopolymers, random copolymers, and impact copolymers in the industry. As the simplest of all PP process technologies, with fewer moving parts and less equipment than any alternative, its reliable, stable, and predictable operation leads to lower capital, operating, and maintenance costs.

Wang Mingxiang, Chairman of Oriental Energy, said, “The focus for our new plant is to serve the growing PP market demand in China with the most economical investment and with broad product capability. We are glad to work with Grace to meet our business objectives leveraging our excellent experience using the UNIPOL® PP technology.”

Al Beninati, President of Grace’s Specialty Catalysts business segment, said, “Grace is very pleased that the success of our previous license with Oriental Energy resulted in an additional license at the facility. Combined with our non-phthalate CONSISTA® catalysts, the state-of-the-art technology will enable the Ningbo facility to provide a wide portfolio of advanced products to their customers.”