Basell announced today that it has started producing its metallocene-based Metocene brand polypropylene resins in commercial scale volumes at the company’s 200 KT Spheripol process plant in Bayport, Texas, USA.
“The successful production of Metocene resins in one of our North American Spheripol assets is an important milestone for our growing Metocene business and our customers,” said Chuck Platz, president of Basell North America. “Previously these grades were only sourced in Europe. The Bayport production will also speed up the introduction of innovations that expand polypropylene’s end uses.”
Metocene grades are characterized by narrow molecular weight distribution and extreme homogeneity, which open new opportunities in melt processing. Four Metocene homopolymer grades are produced in Bayport: Two textile grades for spunbond nonwovens (MFR: 15 and 25g/10‘), one injection moulding grade (MFR: 60g/10‘) and another textile grade for meltblown fibers (MFR: 1200g/10‘). While the MFR: 15 – 60g/10’ grades have been produced on Basell’s European Spheripol process assets, the meltblown grade was produced for the first time on a commercial Spheripol line in Bayport.
“When Basell was formed, Metocene resins were only produced in Europe in one of our gasphase plants,” said Michael Mulrooney, senior vice president of Basell’s Technology Business. “We now have developed a new proprietary metallocene catalyst system for our Spheripol process that was tested on our commercial plant in Terni, Italy. The successful run in Bayport with our Avant M 101 catalyst further demonstrates our capability to use these catalysts in existing Spheripol plants.”
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 additional information contact Michelle Talmo, Basell Corporate Communications, at +1 302 438 6574, +1 410 996 1366 or michelle.talmo@basell.com.
