LyondellBasell launches new family of fifth-generation polypropylene catalysts

LyondellBasell has launched a new family of fifth-generation non-phthalate catalysts for polypropylene (PP) production. These catalysts will be sold under the existing `Avant' trade name and complement the company's well-established third-, fourth- and fifth-generation Ziegler-Natta PP catalysts, a company release said on Friday.

The Avant catalyst range comprises of the following families:

• Avant ZN - Ziegler-Natta catalysts for polypropylene
  
• Avant Z - Ziegler catalysts for polyethylene
  
• Avant C - Chromium catalysts for polyethylene
  
• Avant M - Metallocene catalysts for polypropylene

The new range polyolefin catalysts are produced in Ferrara, Italy, Frankfurt and Ludwigshafen, Germany and Edison, NJ, the release said. 

LyondellBasell is also a leading licensor of polypropylene and polyethylene technologies with more than 250 polyolefin process licences.

"LyondellBasell is the leader in PP catalyst sales and development with a strong market position in fifth-generation catalyst technology," said Jim Seward, director of catalyst and licensing business. "This new family of catalysts will further extend our offering in that field, targeting the full range of PP products and applications."

"This development aligns with a continued market interest in using existing fifth-generation diether and succinate catalysts for a range of product applications.

For example, there is a market trend to extend the use of diether catalysts, already the established benchmark for the production of polymers used in spun-bond fiber, high melt flow impact copolymers and random copolymer, to also produce BOPP and raffia grades," Seward added.

LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500 Index. The company manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries.