LyondellBasell's World-Class PE and PP Technologies Selected by Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries

August 22, 2008

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. LLP, in which LyondellBasell is holding a minority interest, has selected LyondellBasell's polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) technologies for three new plants that will have a combined capacity of 1300 KT of polyolefins per year. The plants will be constructed at the petrochemical complex of Karabatan in Kazakhstan.

The complex will include a 400 KT per year unit based on Spherilene technology, which utilizes a single gas phase reactor "S" configuration to produce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). This unit will be complemented with a 400 KT per year low density polyethylene (LDPE) unit based on Lupotech T process technology and a 500 KT per year PP plant based on Spherizone technology. The three world-scale plants are scheduled for start up in 2013.

"Our pioneering PE and PP technologies address the growing needs of Central Asia and Russia," said Kaspar Evertz, Senior Vice President of LyondellBasell's Licensing Business. "As the global leader in polyolefins technology, we offer differentiating processes that enable our customers in this region to remain competitive and responsive to market dynamics. The region requires world-scale plants that can take full advantage of the locally-sourced petrochemical feedstock."

He added, "The latest versions of our Spherilene and Lupotech T process technologies enable the production of a broad range of PE resins, while our Spherizone technology provides the ability to drive products to new extremes in properties and performance and continues to emerge as new benchmark for polypropylene production."

In addition to the three selected technologies, LyondellBasell's portfolio of licensed polyolefin processes and associated technical services includes:

-- Spheripol -- leading polypropylene technology for the production of homopolymer, random and heterophasic copolymers

-- Hostalen -- leading low-pressure slurry process for the production of multi-modal HDPE

-- Metocene PP -- technology for the production of specialty polypropylene products using single-site catalyst systems

LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world's largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world. Headquartered in The Netherlands, LyondellBasell (http://www.lyondellbasell.com/) is privately owned by Access Industries.

SOURCE: LyondellBasell Industries

CONTACT: Waldemar Oldenburger of LyondellBasell Industries,
+49 69 305 854 59, waldemar.oldenburger@lyondellbasell.com

Web site: http://www.lyondellbasell.com/