Aristech Opens New Polypropylene Line

Aristech Chemical Corp. (Pittsburgh, PA) has opened a new 550 million lb/y polypropylene line at its LaPorte, TX, site. The unit, LaPorte's third, brings capacity at the 200-acre site to 950 million lb/y. Aristech also operates a 450 million lb/y PP unit at Neal, WV.

The new unit uses Spheripol technology from Montell Technology Co., BV. The technology, which accounts for 35% of world polypropylene capacity, uses highly specific controlled morphology catalysts. The unit itself consists of two bulk loop reactors and two gas phase reactors. The combination of reactors augments Aristech's product line with some interesting specialty copolymers.

"One of the unique abilities of this line is that it will enable us to manufacture products with high melt-flow and high-impact resistance, two normally incompatible properties," says Aristech copolymer/specialty product manager Carrie Richards. The result, she says, will be a new range of performance materials for consumer goods ranging from automotive parts to food packaging.

In addition to specialty copolymers, the new line will produce polypropylene homopolymer, random copolymer, and conventional impact copolymer.

Company VP Gary Reed says the new line is a significant investment for Aristech. "This, combined with our expanding technical service capabilities, demonstrates that we are dedicated to serving key niche markets in the polypropylene industry, and that we're committed to this business for the long term," he explains.

Edited by Alan S. Brown