Spherizone PP Process

LyondellBasell’s breakthrough Spherizone multi-zone circulating reactor process provides an economical and efficient method of manufacturing a wide range of high-quality polypropylene and novel, propylene-based polyolefinic resins. Since the launch of the Spherizone process in 2004, approximately four million tonnes of capacity have been licensed.

With the ability of the Spherizone process to drive products to new property and performance extremes, the technology continues to emerge as the new benchmark for polypropylene production. Spherizone process resins have the potential to expand polypropylene’s use into entirely new applications and markets.

Safety and environment

  • LyondellBasell’s process technologies have a safety record among the best in the industry
  • Reduction of resource consumption and emissions, along with low energy consumption
  • Recovery and recycling of non-reacted monomers
  • No undesired by-products from the reaction

Product capability and versatility

  • Wide range of high-quality PP products possible
  • Novel resins with expanded properties and performance
  • High product quality, allowing bimodality in MFR and composition
  • Minimum property variation due to process stability and LyondellBasell’s Avant catalyst performance

Reliability

  • Structurally identical to the Spheripol process, the Spherizone technology has demonstrated high reliability

Design flexibility

  • Single-line capacities of up to 500 kt/a can be provided
  • Homopolymer, random copolymer and heterophasic impact copolymer production designs
  • Polymer-grade propylene or chemical grade propylene feedstock

Modular flexibility

  • A modular design enabling the low-cost addition of a fluidized bed gas-phase reactor for heterophasic impact copolymers

Economics

  • Capital costs are competitive with other PP technologies currently available
  • Best-in-class operating costs

For further information, please contact us.

Avant, Spheripol and Spherizone are trademarks owned or used by LyondellBasell group companies and are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Highlights

Latest-generation polypropylene technology based on a multi-zone reactor that produces high-performance polypropylene and novel polyolefins.