Milan, Italy, May 12, 2003 - Succinate catalysts, the new Ziegler-Natta catalyst family from Basell that significantly and uniquely expands polypropylene’s property envelope, are now available for purchase on a global basis.

First announced a year ago, the proprietary succinate catalysts make possible the production of PP grades with broad molecular weight distribution, resulting in improved processability and performance in applications such as pipes, film and injection moulding.

"Succinates are the latest in a series of breakthroughs in polypropylene production," said Werner Breuers, president of Basell’s Technology Business. "While metallocenes and other new Ziegler-Natta catalysts such as diethers produce grades with narrow molecular weight distribution, succinates expand the property envelope in a new direction.

"In low melt flow heterophasic copolymer applications, a 20-30% improvement in stiffness/impact balance has been achieved with succinate catalysts," Breuers added. "With succinates it is possible to either improve Izod impact while maintaining flexural modulus or improve flexural modulus while maintaining impact and even simultaneously achieve improvements in both impact and flexural modulus."

Succinate catalysts are drop-in replacements for most all process technologies including a variety of bulk (liquid phase), gas phase (stirred or fluidized), slurry, or most combinations such as "bulk + gas phase" hybrids, according to Michael Mulrooney, senior vice president, Marketing and New Ventures, for Basell’s Technology Business.
"New 5th generation (Ziegler-Natta) succinate and diether catalyst systems are leading a technology shift away from phthalates," added Mulrooney. "As a result of the strong market interest in succinates, we are pleased to be able to make them available on a global basis."

Succinate catalysts extend the range of offerings marketed by Basell:

--Avant ZN - Ziegler-Natta catalysts for polypropylene
--Avant Z - Ziegler catalysts for polyethylene
--Avant C - Chromium catalysts for polyethylene
--Avant M - Metallocene catalysts for polypropylene

Avant catalysts are manufactured in Italy, Belgium, Germany and the United States. Basell also maintains regional technical and distribution centres to support a global customer base. Basell’s Avant ZN catalysts are the most widely used in the polypropylene industry. With the introduction of succinate catalysts, Basell is the only company offering all three Ziegler-Natta polypropylene catalyst families: phthalate, diether and succinate.

In addition to producing and commercialising catalysts, Basell develops and licences polyolefin processes. Basell also develops, produces and markets polypropylene, polyethylene and advanced polyolefin materials. Basell's corporate centre is located in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; the catalyst and licensing business is based in Milan, Italy; and the company has regional offices in Elkton, Maryland. USA; Brussels; Mainz, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Hong Kong, as well as manufacturing facilities and sales offices in the major markets around the globe. The company’s Internet address is www.basell.com.