LyondellBasell announced that Alujain National Industrial Company (Alujain) has selected polypropylene process technology from LyondellBasell for a new Spherizone process technology line.

Alujain owns National Petrochemical Industrial Co. (NatPet), which operates a Spheripol process technology line.

The Spherizone process technology will be used for a 500 kiloton per year (KTA) polypropylene line located in Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will be operated by Alujain National Industrial Company, a fully owned subsidiary of Alujain.

“Our technology leadership is a key enabler for growth, and we are delighted to announce that this time Alujain is using LyondellBasell technology for a 500 KTA Spherizone process technology to expand their existing production assets with a new polypropylene plant. This award is the second LyondellBasell polypropylene line on site which will be built adjacent to the existing NatPet Spheripol plant,” said Neil Nadalin, Director, Global Licensing and Services for LyondellBasell. “LyondellBasell Spherizone process technology remains the technology of choice for operators who want to further diversify and differentiate their polypropylene portfolio.”

Khalid Al Dawood, CEO of Alujain National Industrial Company stated, “With this new polypropylene plant addition at our Yanbu industrial complex, we will ensure the ability of expanding our polypropylene production significantly into specialty polypropylene products. The technology selection allows us to maintain our competitive position in a demanding customer market in which product quality and efficient operation are key for success.”

The Spherizone multi-zone circulating reactor (MZCR) provides a unique and innovative platform to manufacture polypropylene products with novel architecture and enhanced product properties. Almost 10 million tons of the Spherizone process for differentiated polypropylene production capacity has been licensed by LyondellBasell around the world.

The plant will commence operation using LyondellBasell Avant ZN catalyst.

New licensees take advantage of LyondellBasell in-house expertise of continuous production improvement, continuous product development and catalyst know-how, by optionally joining our Technical Service program.

In addition to the Spherizone process technology, LyondellBasell’s portfolio of licensed polyolefin processes and catalysts includes: Spheripol, Hostalen, Lupotech and Avant.