BP and Eastman reach agreement to license Energx polyethylene technology
"Sometime ago we concluded that BP was the optimal sub-licensing partner for us and that together we would be able to make Energx technology more accessible to the marketplace," said Thomas A. Smith, vice president and general manager of Eastman's Container Plastics business. "I am pleased we have now reached agreement with BP to allow this to happen."
The agreement encompasses both the first-generation Energx and the second-generation Energx DCX technologies for prepolymer and direct injection supported catalyst systems. Energx polyethylene technology can be used in gas-phase polyethylene manufacturing facilities to produce high performance linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Eastman's Hifor, Hifor Clear and Hifor Xtreme polymers are produced using Energx technology.
"This agreement further extends the technology options available to licensees of our Innovene polyethylene technology and will further enhance Innovene as a leading gas-phase process for polyethylene production," said Colin Humphris, BP's polyethylene business technology manager.
Eastman Hifor polymers, first introduced in 1997, are ideally suited for packaging snack and frozen food; for clarity film for produce, baked goods and refrigerated foods like meat and cheese; and for bag-in-the box applications. Because the exhibit high strength, Eastman Hifor polymers are used for demanding industrial applications such as heavy-duty shipping sacks, high strength liner films, and cast-stretch applications.
Innovene technology is one of the leading gas-phase technologies for the manufacture of polyethylene. BP has sold 24 Innovene licenses in 16 countries across the world, with a combined manufacturing capacity of more than four million metric tons of polyethylene a year.
Eastman Chemical Company, headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, manufactures and markets plastics, chemicals and fibers. The company has approximately 15,000 employees in 30 countries and had 2000 sales of $5.3 billion. More information is available at www.eastman.com
BP is one of the world's largest petroleum and petrochemicals companies. BP's chemicals businesses manufacture and market a wide range of petrochemicals, intermediates, polymers and specialties across the world. In 2000, the businesses sold over 22 million metric tons of products worldwide, and had sales of $11.2 billion. More information is available at www.bp.com
Source: Eastman Chemical Company
Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter.
Click for a free Buyer's Guide listing.