Basell acquires INEOS Silicas high pore-volume chromium catalyst business

09-Nov-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."

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/40731/basell-acquires-ineos-silicas-high-pore-volume-chromium-catalyst-business.html