Kraiburg TPE to use Shell’s gas-to-liquids technology

Calling it a first for the thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) sector, Kraiburg TPE is preparing for the commercial production of elastomers using Shell Risella X, a process oil made with Shell's gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology.

Kraiburg TPE said this new ingredient allows the thermoplastic elastomer supplier to develop pioneering, high-quality TPE-solutions for its customers. First tests showed improved compatibility in the TPE matrix due to the chemical structure of the oil. Shell and Kraiburg TPE's R&D departments are exploring the applications of this innovative product in the market.

"It is an on-going challenge for companies to improve the efficiency of their operations and continue to improve product quality," said Oliver Zintner, Director of Kraiburg TPE Europe, in the news release. "For us, part of the work to meet this challenge is being done via a new TPE product, developed in close cooperation with Shell, modified with a completely new raw material. The new raw material is the cutting edge synthetic process oil: Shell Risella X."

The basic building block for Risella X is natural gas rather than crude oil. Shell Risella X has a different chemical structure compared to conventional mineral-oil based process oils, with the new feedstock component reportedly providing valuable benefits to customers' products and operations.

GTL is the product of almost 40 years of research and technology by Shell. The technology enables large-scale production of base oils for the manufacture of premium finished lubricants and process oils from natural gas. The basic technology behind the GTL process, known as Fischer-Tropsch, was developed by German scientists in the 1920s and refined by Shell's proprietary technology.

This technology has been brought to life in the GTL Pearl plant, a joint development between Qatar Petroleum and Shell, which has a capacity of 260,000 barrels oil equivalent a day. The plant in Qatar is the world's largest source of GTL products, including low-emission transport fuels, valuable chemical feedstocks and premium base oils.

Looking to the future, Kraiburg TPE intends to work together with its customers to test and analyze key features and further benefits of new TPE produced using Shell Risella X.

Kraiburg develops TPEs based on HSBC (hydrogenated styrene block copolymers).