Chem Systems: Basell on track with first MCZR PP plant

13 February 2002 18:09  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--The first commercial polypropylene (PP) plant to employ Basell’s multi-zone circulating reactor (MZCR) technology is still on track to start up at Brindisi, Italy in the second quarter of 2002, Werner Breuers, president for licensing and catalysts at Basell Polyolefins, said on Wednesday.

He described the MZCR as a breakthrough in polyolefins technology. Its key feature is that it contains two reactor zones in one circulating system giving it a cost advantage over existing PP processes which employ two or more separate reactors.

The new technology is claimed to produce a resin with a better homogeneity and broader molecular weight distribution than present PP resins. The reactor also produces an optimum balance between costs and performance, added Breuers, who was speaking here at the Nexant/Chem Systems’ European chemicals and petroleum seminar, which continues on Thursday.

A new MZCR reactor is being installed on an existing 180 000 tonne/year PP plant. However, the reactor is designed to have the capability of producing 200 000 tonne/year, Paolo Bigi, director of sales, polymers and olefins, of the engineering company Tecnimont, told CNI at the conference. Tecnimont is the main engineering contractor for the project. Bibi added that commissioning is due to start in late May or early June.

By: Peter Taffe
+44 20 8652 3214

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