Oriental Petrochemicals Co. starts UNIPOL™ PP Process Plant in Egypt
The Dow Chemical Company today announced that Oriental Petrochemicals Company (OPC) has successfully commissioned its new UNIPOL™ PP facility for polypropylene in the Industrial Zone of Gulf of Suez, Sokhna, Egypt. This is the second start-up of a new UNIPOL licensed facility since the February 2001 merger between Dow and Union Carbide Corporation.
"We are very pleased with OPC's success in starting this unit. This start-up further demonstrates the seamless integration of the UNIPOL PP organization into The Dow Chemical Company. It is visible proof of Dow's commitment to continue to support UNIPOL licensees with the world-class technology transfer services that are a hallmark of the UNIPOL name," said John Dearborn, Dow's vice president for Technology Licensing and Catalysts.
Start-up of the 120,000 metric tons-per-year plant in late July was followed by production of "A" grade material within 48 hours at an operating rate of approximately 90%. Dow's start-up team was on-site for several weeks during this period to provide operator training and technical assistance. Toyo Engineering Corporation was the lead engineering contractor on the project.
"OPC was determined all along to choose the best and most advanced polypropylene technology on the market for a clear competitive edge," said Mohamed Farid Khamis, chairman of Oriental Petrochemicals. "For us, the UNIPOL PP Process is the technology of choice for our new polypropylene unit because it more than fulfills our needs in production quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness. We're pleased that Dow has shown the same dedication to supporting the technology. "
In building Egypt's first polypropylene plant, Oriental Petrochemicals joins more than 20 other licensees of the UNIPOL PP Process, which today accounts for more than four million metric tons of polypropylene production worldwide.
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