PolyMirae plant starts Metocene PP production in Korea

PolyMirae has started operations using LyondellBasell’s Metocene polypropylene (PP) technology, the first commercial production of Metocene-based PP in Asia. A Daelim and LyondellBasell Industries joint venture, PolyMirae has installed the metallocene catalyst-based PP technology on one of its Spheripol lines in Yeochun, Korea. LyondellBasell says the Metocene PP technology will allow PolyMirae to produce a wide range of homopolymers and random copolymers, which reportedly have higher purity, improved physical properties, outstanding transparency, and better organoleptic properties. In addition, high-fluidity peroxide-free reactor grades are obtainable beyond the usual melt-flow restrictions of conventional PP, with melt-flow rates from 100 to well beyond 2000 g/10 min, according to a company spokesman.

PolyMirae has four production lines using Spheripol technology located in Yeosu, Korea, with a total annual capacity of about 700,000 tonnes. LyondellBasell licenses two catalyst technologies for the production of PP: Sheripol and Spherizone. Spheripol is used in the production of homopolymer, random, and heterophasic copolymers. Spherizone, which LyondellBasell describes as the latest-generation PP technology, is based on a multizone reactor for the production of polypropylene and novel polyolefins.

In related news, LyondellBasell says it has reached a new agreement with Hyundai Engineering Plastics (HEP), under which HEP will manufacture LyondellBasell’s newest generation of its Hostacom and Hifax polypropylene in India. LyondellBasell will have the exclusive marketing rights for the products.



Hyundai’s manufacturing plant is located in Chennai, Tamil Nandu. Hostacom and Hifax PP compounds are used in auto applications such as instrument panels, bumpers, and interior trim, and also used in white goods such as washing machines and refrigerators. Frank Noeltgen, VP of LyondellBasell’s Asia-Pacific compounding business, commented that this agreement will increase the competitiveness of local Indian makers of autos and appliances who are LyondellBasell customers by providing them with a local source for high-performance, high-quality compounds.



This agreement expands on the base established by the two companies in 2006, when they agreed that HEP’s Supol materials would be made in Europe and North America by LyondellBasell under a license agreement, and would also be marketed and sold by LyondellBasell. —mpweditorial@cancom.com