BELGIUM: Borealis & Neste begin strategic cooperation for production of renewable PP

Borealis and Neste are entering into a strategic cooperation for the production of renewable polypropylene (PP) at Borealis' facilities in Kallo and Beringen, Belgium. Beginning at the end of the year, Borealis will use Neste's 100% renewable propane produced with Neste's NEXBTL technology, as renewable feedstock for the PP.

Neste, which has an annual production capacity of 3 million tons of renewable products, can utilize nearly any bio-based oil or fat as raw materials, including "lower quality" waste and residue oils to produce various "premium-quality" renewable products, Neste noted.

"This marks the first time that Borealis uses bio-based feedstock to partially replace fossil feedstock in commercial production of PP," said Neste. "It will also be the first time ever that renewable propane dehydrogenation is carried out at an industrial scale. The high-quality product will offer the same excellent product properties as conventional PP, and is fully recyclable," it added.

"Polymers and chemicals industries will play a major role in the fight against climate change," said Mercedes Alonso, executive vice president, renewable polymers and chemicals at Neste. "It is therefore very satisfying to see the industry change starting to happen towards more sustainable, climate-friendlier feedstock alternatives."

Source: Weekly “PetroChemical News”, Durham, NC, USA; 21 Oct 2019
(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)