Borealis considers new propane dehydrogenation plant in Belgium
Borealis will study the feasibility of a new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant. The plant would be located at the existing Borealis production site in Kallo, Belgium.
The feasibility study will be carried out over the next nine months. The final investment decision is expected to be made in Q3 of 2018, while the potential start-up of the plant is scheduled for the second half of 2021. The new PDH plant would have a targeted annual production capacity of 740 Mtpy, making it one of the largest facilities in the world. The Borealis Kallo location has been chosen due to its excellent logistical position and its experience in propylene production and handling. Borealis has selected Honeywell UOP's Oleflex technology for the new plant. This technology is widely used and is a reliable and sustainable choice for on-purpose propylene production.
"In Europe propylene demand is increasing while the supply growth from steam crackers and refineries is slowing down. With the market tightening, an on-purpose propylene investment is needed to ensure a reliable platform for continuous, long-term growth in propylene and its derivatives in Europe," explains Thomas Van De Velde, Borealis Vice President, Hydrocarbons & Energy.
Flexible, integrated steam crackers as well as the PDH plant and their associated production units, form the backbone of the Borealis olefins and polyolefins portfolio in Europe. Borealis sources basic feedstocks such as propane, naphtha, butane and ethane from the oil and gas industry and converts these into ethylene, propylene and other high value hydrocarbons.
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