Coal-to-Olefins Company in China Starts Up Latest UNIPOL Polypropylene Plant

08-26-2010: The use of UNIPOL™ Polypropylene (PP) Technology from Dow Basic Plastics Licensing and Catalysts, a business group of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), continues to grow at a rapid pace in China. China Shenhua Coal to Liquid and Chemical Baotou Coal Chemical Company is the latest company to start up a plant using this technology and is the first in China to manufacture PP made from coal-generated olefins.

Shenhua Baotou Coal Chemicals Company’s 300 KTA Polypropylene facility came online earlier this month in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, The People’s Republic of China.

According to the company, its gasification technology converts coal into a synthesis gas (or syngas); syngas is used to produce methanol, which is transformed into olefins – a building block for producing polypropylene.

“The startup of this highly advanced coal-based PP production facility highlights how Dow’s ongoing investment in technology – such as SHACTM Catalysts and CONSISTATM advanced catalyst systems – continues to make UNIPOLTM PP Process Technology the most advanced and versatile PP licensing option on the market today,” said Tracy Cleckler, global commercial director for Dow Basic Plastics Licensing & Catalyst. “Demand for PP is growing rapidly in China and we are working with our customers to help meet industry needs in the region at the lowest total investment and operating costs.”