GPCA ’17: Canada NOVA keeping PP option on the table – CEO

DUBAI (ICIS)–NOVA Chemicals has not ruled out creating polypropylene (PP) capacity in the future as a way to get further value from propylene produced from its crackers, the chief executive of the Canada-based producer said on Tuesday.

Propylene coming from NOVA goes into the merchant market now, said CEO Todd Karran, who made his comments during a question-and-answer session at the 12th annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Forum.

NOVA has been very active in expanding its ethylene and polyethylene (PE) portfolio in North America with expanded production in Canada, the purchase of Williams’ Geismar, Louisiana cracker and NOVA’s interest along with Total and Borealis in building a new cracker-PE complex in Texas.

Karran referenced that PP has been part of NOVA’s portfolio in the past and perhaps could be an option in the future for the propylene coming from the producer’s crackers, which use natural gas liquids (NGL) as feedstock.

The GPCA Forum continues through Wednesday in Dubai.