Frankfurt, Germany, November 8, 2004 - INEOS Silicas Limited and Basell Polyolefine GmbH announced today that they have signed an agreement for the sale of INEOS Silicas's high pore-volume chromium catalyst business to Basell.
Effective immediately, Basell is the manufacturer and supplier of a family of chromium catalysts developed by INEOS Silicas, including EP350, EP350HiTi, and EP241A. This range of chromium catalysts is used in both slurry loop and gas phase processes to manufacture high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers for applications involving high environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) and high stiffness, such as blow moulding and pipe.
The newly acquired family of chromium catalysts will be manufactured by Basell at its Ludwigshafen, Germany facility, where Basell manufactures its Avant C chromium catalysts. The Avant C catalysts are sold to third parties and used in the manufacture of Basell products.
"The acquisition of the INEOS Silicas high pore-volume chromium catalyst business complements, and indeed expands, our existing chromium catalyst range," said Michael Mulrooney, senior vice president of Basell’s Technology Business. "As Basell is an important polyolefins producer, as well as process technology licensor, we believe we have a good understanding of our catalyst customers' needs. It is from this perspective that we aim to add value for existing and new customers.”
He added, “Polyethylene catalysts are an important part of the Technology Business portfolio, and Basell is committed to growing this part of its business through R&D and acquisitions such as this one."
In addition to Avant C chromium catalysts, Basell produces and sells other polyethylene and polypropylene catalyst families under the Avant trade name. These advanced catalyst systems include:
• 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
INEOS Silicas has a long history of production of silica products at its Warrington manufacturing facility in England. INEOS will continue to develop, produce and sell its other chromium catalysts and silica supports that are not included in this agreement.
“The deal is logical,” says Derek Hepburn, Senior Marketing Manager for INEOS Silicas. “INEOS Silicas believes that current and future customers of chromium catalyst grades EP350, EP350HiTi, and EP241A will receive value and continued support from Basell, whilst benefiting from the Basell infrastructure. INEOS Silicas will focus on its chosen range of chromium catalysts and silica supports where we are creating significant growth.”
About INEOS Silicas:
INEOS Silicas is a leading global manufacturer of silicates, zeolites and silicas related products with manufacturing sites in the UK (Warrington), Netherlands (Eijsden), USA (Joliet), Brazil (Jacana and Rio Claro), South Africa (Durban and Johannesburg) and Indonesia (Pasaruan). There are also Asia Pacific regional sales organisations based in Singapore and Shanghai. The business, formerly known as Crosfield was acquired in January 2001 from ICI. Additional information about INEOS Silicas is available at www.ineossilicas.com.
For more information contact Derek Hepburn at +44 1925 416426 or derek.hepburn@ineossilicas.com.
About Basell:
Basell is the world's largest producer of polypropylene and advanced polyolefin products, a leading supplier of polyethylene and catalysts, and a global leader in the development and licensing of polypropylene and polyethylene processes. Basell, together with its joint ventures, has manufacturing facilities around the world and sells products in more than 120 countries. Additional information about Basell is available at www.basell.com.
For more information contact Michelle Talmo, Basell Corporate Communications, at +1 410 996 1366, +1 302 438 6574 or michelle.talmo@basell.com.
