Sumitomo Chemical Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp) has agreed to license it process technology for production of propylene oxide (PO) to PTT Global Chemical Co. (PTTGC; Bangkok, Thailand; www.pttgcgroup.com) for a new petrochemicals project PTTGC is currently implementing.
With the aim of establishing an integrated polyurethane business chain, PTTGC is pursuing a project to construct new plants for PO and polyols through its subsidiaries. For PO production, a decision has been made to adopt Sumitomo Chemical’s proprietary technology. The new PO plant will have a production capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr), with target completion in the second quarter of 2020.
Sumitomo Chemical’s PO production technology is based on a PO-only process in which, with cumene recycling, PO alone is manufactured without accompanying by-products. Sumitomo Chemical was the first in the world to commercialize this cumene method. The technology, combined with the use of the Company’s proprietary high-performance epoxidation catalyst, offers the distinct advantages of a high PO yield and stability in plant operation.