CHINA: Honeywell’s UOP technology selected to meet growing demand for propylene in Southeast Asia

This will be the first propane dehydrogenation project in the Southern Guangzhou region, which is a major trade hub for Southeast Asia located near Macau and Hong Kong. The project also is the 20th announced license for UOP’s Oleflex technology since the beginning of 2011 as petrochemical producers globally move to meet growing demand for propylene and isobutylene. This marks the 16th time that UOP’s Oleflex process has been selected by Chinese petrochemical producers.

“The rise in disposable income for Asia’s middle and upper classes is increasing consumption of durable and nondurable goods made from chemicals and polymers derived from light olefins,” said Pete Piotrowski, senior vice president and general manager of UOP’s Process Technology and Equipment business unit. “China’s demand for propylene is expected to more than triple by 2020 from 2011 levels. The combined Oleflex projects UOP has announced since 2011, including this new project, will increase global propylene production by more than 8 million metric tons in the next three years.”

After comparing multiple propane dehydrogenation technologies, Guangdong Peng Zun chose the Oleflex process to satisfy demand in the region’s local market for high value propylene. In addition to the economic advantages, regional presence and strong technical support were key drivers in the decision, as more key technical service roles have been staffed in UOP’s Beijing office.

Guangdong Peng Zun will install the technology at its facility in the Donghai Island Port Chemical Industrial Zone in Zhanjiang, China, where it will produce 450,000 metric tons of propylene per year starting in 2016. In addition to technology, UOP will provide training, technical services, catalysts, adsorbents, and equipment for the project.

Compared with competing processes, UOP’s Oleflex technology provides the smallest environmental footprint, the lowest cash cost of production, and the highest return on investment. The technology consistently delivers superior performance due to its high reliability, low energy usage, high propylene yields, and proven continuous catalyst regeneration (CCR) technology.

Source: UOP website, Des Plaines, Ill., USA; 22 May 2014
(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)