08-01-2019

Grace licenses UNIPOL® PP process technology to Hanwha Total Petrochemical

W. R. Grace & Co., the leading supplier of polyolefin catalyst technology and polypropylene (PP) process technology, has contracted to license its UNIPOL® PP Process Technology to Hanwha Total Petrochemical Co., Ltd. for a new PP production facility in Daesan, South Korea. With a capacity of 400 kilotons per year, the PP line is expected to begin operations in 2021.

Hanwha Total Petrochemical is a 50/50 joint venture between Hanwha General Chemicals Co, Ltd. and Total S.A, the French integrated oil and gas company considered one of the world’s seven supermajor oil companies. Hanwha is South Korea’s leading producer of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), a primary component in many types of polyester. The joint venture’s Daesan petrochemical complex consists of 13 separate plants, producing polymers, base chemicals, and oil products.

Grace's gas-phase UNIPOL® PP Process Technology provides the most advanced and broadest range of PP homopolymers and copolymers in the industry. As the simplest of all PP process technologies, with fewer moving parts and less equipment than any alternative, its reliable, stable, and predictable operation leads to lower capital investment cost as well as lower operating and maintenance costs.

Yu Byungchang, Vice President of Hanwha Total Petrochemical, said, “We are committed to providing high quality, differentiated products at competitive prices. Grace’s UNIPOL® PP process and CONSISTA® catalyst systems meet our strict requirements for quality and value, which help us continue to exceed the expectations of our customers.”

Laura Schwinn, President of Grace’s Specialty Catalysts business segment, said, “Grace is pleased to be selected to provide our technology and catalysts to Hanwha Total Petrochemical and to help them offer the broad capability and most advanced resins that deliver significant value to their customers.”