Polypropylene Production

Polypropylene is a linear hydrocarbon polymer expressed as CnH2n, which is one of the most versatile polymers and is used as both plastic and as fiber.

Polypropylene is a tough and robust plastic whose properties depend on the molecular weight and distribution of monomers.

Polypropylene provides excellent characteristics that make it in demand for packaging, textiles, plastic parts, molding, sheet extrusion and thermoforming:

• Good heat resistance
• Good fatigue resistance
• Resistance to acid, bases, water and detergents
• Resistance to organic solvents
• Economical
• Does not leach chemicals into food products

The polypropylene polymer can be used in different processing technologies such as injection molding, blow molding, sheet extrusion and thermoforming.

Propylene is produced by ethylene steam crackers In which propylene is a co-product of steam cracking and the actual quantity produced depends on the nature of feedstock. The demands of propylene plastic products are increasing but volatility in the price of propylene resin is impacting the growth of the market. Similarly growing environmental issues and the availability of feedstock are putting pressure on manufacturers to explore bio-based propylene polymer.

If the feedstock is light like ethane then very less propylene is produced but when the feedstock is heavier the quantity of propylene co-produce is more.

Propylene polymer is a made by polymerization of monomer propylene with the help of the catalyst.

Propylene is the base monomer and is gaseous at room temperature, which is used for propylene production.

There are several options for commercial technologies to be used for making propylene polymer with each technology endowing unique properties. Two (2) main commercial technology are used in the production of propylene resin:

1. UNIPOL PP Technology (gas phase technology)

2. LyondellBasell Spheripol Technology (morphology catalyst)

Typical steps in production of propylene polymer include:

• Purification of feedstock material and additives, preparation of catalysts. The feedstock that is used is propylene.
• Polymerization takes place either in the gas phase with either a fluidized bed/stirred reactor or in a liquid phase in with slurry/solution
• Polymer particles are then separated from existing monomers and diluents.
• The monomer and diluents are recovered and fed again in the process.

The ADRM Software Polypropylene Production model set incorporates support for the above technologies and processes.

The following represent the core polypropylene data defined for each technology and process:

The Polypropylene Product model set includes a suite of supporting data models to provide comprehensive coverage for all areas of the organization such as Inventory, Shipping and Logistics, BBB, Forecast, HR, Contract, Property & Equipment to name a few.