1

Organic chemicals and polymers

A company of ThyssenKrupp

TechnologiesUhde

Thys

senK

rupp

2 Table of contents

1. Company profile 3

2. Uhde's fields of activity 4

3. Organic chemicals

3.1 Ethylene dichloride EDC, Vinyl chloride VCM 6

3.2 Ethylene oxide EO, Ethylene glycol MEG 8

3.3 Propylene oxide and other organic chemicals 10

4. Polymers

4.1 High-density polyethylene HDPE 12

4.2 Low-density polyethylene LDPE 14

4.3 Polypropylene PP 16

4.4 Suspension polyvinyl chloride PVC-S 18

4.5 Polyester PET 20

4.6 Polyamide and special polymers 22

Page

Organic chemicals and polymersPlastics have become an indispensable material

in everyday life and are used in a wide variety of technical applications. Over 200 million

tonnes of plastics are produced throughout the world every year, most of which are

commodity polymers such as polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyester.

When it comes to the production of these plasticsUhde provides its customers with large-scale,

cost-effective, environment-friendly plants based on first-class processes.

31. Company profile

With its highly specialised workforce of more than 4,900 employees and itsinternational network of subsidiaries andbranch offices, Uhde, a Dortmund-basedengineering contractor, has, to date, suc-cessfully completed over 2,000 projectsthroughout the world.

Uhde’s international reputation has been built on the successful applicationof its motto Engineering with ideas toyield cost-effective high-tech solutionsfor its customers. The ever-increasingdemands placed upon process andapplication technology in the fields ofchemical processing, energy and envir-onmental protection are met through acombination of specialist know-how,comprehensive service packages, top-quality engineering and impeccablepunctuality.

OverviewIn the world of international plant con-struction, companies have to be able toprovide industrial plant owners with first-class processes which guarantee themaximum level of productivity, availabil-ity, economic viability and environmentalcompatibility.

For decades now, Uhde has been a leading force in the construction ofplants for organic chemicals and poly-mers. Supported by licensors of inter-national acclaim, such as LyondellBasell,Evonik, Shell and Vinnolit, we are able toprovide our customers with premium processes in a variety of fields.

By working closely with these licensors,we are among the market leaders in various fields of activity, such as EDC/VCMand polyethylene, with respect to theoverall annual capacity of the plants wehave so far built.

The following pages provide an overviewof the main fields in which we are active.

Uhde’s head office in Dortmund, Germany

Natural gas

Crude oil

Coal

Sodiumchloride

Reformate

Cokeovenlight oil

Pyrolysisgasoline

Refinery Steam cracker

Propane

Butanes

Aromaticsseparation

Coke plant

Electrolysis

Synthesis gasgeneration

Crops (Starch)

4 Uhde's fields of activityOrganic chemicals, polymers and more...

2.

With its wide range of first-class proprietarytechnologies and those supplied by reput-able licensors, Uhde is active in an exten-sive number of different chemical and petrochemical segments.

Organic chemicals

Ethylene dichloride (EDC)Vinyl chloride (VCM)Ethylene oxide (EO)Ethylene glycol (MEG)Propylene oxide (PO)Vinyl acetate (VAM)Oxo alcoholsFormaldehydeUIF

Organic chemicals Uhde can offer plants in a wide range of fields, such as:

UIF These technologies are supplied by our subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer

Adhesives

Textile fibres, filaments,technical yarns, films,engineering plastics

Plasticisers, solvents

Mouldings,films, fibres

Pipes, profiles

Textile fibres, filaments,films, bottles,techn. applications

EPS: Insulating foam,packaging

Ethylene

Propylene

Benzene

Xylenes

Chlorine

Caustic soda

Hydrogen

Styrene

Caprolactam

Cyclohexane

Adipic acid

Terephthalic acid/DMT

Phthalic anhydride

Vinyl chloride

Ethylene glycolEthylene oxide

p-Xylene

o-Xylene

Ethylenedichloride

Polyethylene

Polypropylene

Oxo products

Polystyrene

Polyamide 6

Polyester (PET)

Polyvinyl chloride

Methanol

m-Xylene Isophthalic acid

Formaldehyde Urea-Formaldehyde

ABS Mouldings

Foam materialsPolyurethane

Acrylonitrile

Propylene oxide

Polybutadiene

Polyamide 6.6

Butadiene

Lactic acid PolylactideGlucose Fibres, films, bottles,medical applications

5

Polymers Other chemical fields

Polymers

PolypropyleneHomopolymersCopolymers

PolyethyleneHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE)Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)Linear polyethylene (LLDPE)

Polyvinyl chloridePVC-S

PolyesterUIF

PET, PBT, PEN, PTT and copolyesterfor textile, bottle and film grade

PolyamideUIF

PA 6, 6.6, 11, 12 andcopolyamide for textile applicationsand engineering plastics

Polylactide (PLA)UIF

OthersStyrenic plastics (ABS, EPS, GPPS/HIPS)Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)Urea-formaldehyde resinsUIF

Engineering plastics

UIF These technologies are supplied by our subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer

6

Ethylene

ChlorineDirect

chlorination

Vinyl chloride VCM

recycle EDCchlorination

EDCdistillation

OxychlorinationHCl

by-productrecovery

HCl

Oxygen

liquid + gaseousby-products

EDCcracking

EDC VCMdistillation

EDC

Vinyl chloride, its precursor ethylene dichloride,and also polyvinyl chloride, the main end prod-uct, rank amongst the world’s largest money-spinners. 35-50 million tonnes of each productare produced around the world each year. And,although people have been saying for decadesthat chlorine chemicals are on their way out,production continues to grow by 3-4 % per year.This is due on the one hand to the versatility ofPVC, and on the other, to the considerable im-provements which the processes have undergonein the last years with regard to environmentaland safety issues.

Uhde is the exclusive contractor for Vinnolit tech-nology. Vinnolit has been producing EDC, VCMand PVC for over 60 years and is one of the 10largest PVC producers in the world. Since 1963we have used Vinnolit know-how to design newplants for our customers and optimise existingones. The overall annual capacity of all theseplants has reached more than 10 million tonnesof EDC and more than 5.5 million tonnes of VCM.

Uhde has engineered and constructed severallarge vinyl complexes with integrated chlor-alkalielectrolysis plants. A new huge vinyl complex is being built by Uhde on the Persian Gulf.

It includes the entire process chain from thechlor-alkali electrolysis and the EDC/VCM plantsto the PVC plant. The annual capacities of theindividual plants within the framework of thisproject will combine to form one of the world'slargest PVC complexes.

Our extensive experience in the design, con-struction and commissioning of such plants andour intensive development of individual processsteps and equipment are borne out by the abovesuccesses. Our joint research and developmentprojects with Vinnolit ensure that we supplycompetitive, environment-friendly processeswhich produce high-quality products.

The latest joint development is the new boilingreactor technology for the direct chlorination ofethylene. This new technology provides anenergy-efficient technology for the production offurnace feed and sales EDC from chlorine andethylene without the need for a distillation step.In combination with a special catalyst, by-prod-uct formation is significantly minimised. The firstproduction-scale plant (capacity 250,000 t/yearof EDC) is operating successfully at LimburgseVinyl Maatschappij NV (LVM), Tessenderlo,Belgium.

Ethylene dichloride EDCVinyl chloride VCMWe provide technologies with economic and environmental benefits

Balanced EDC/VCM process

3.1

7

Biggest VCM Plant in ChinaSINOPEC Qilu Petrochemical Corp.Linzi, Zibo, Shandong Prov., China400,000 t/year of VCM (balanced)

3D model of one of the world's largest PVC complexesARVAND Petrochemical Co.,Bandar Imam, IranCapacities of the complex:570,000 t/year of chlorine329,000 t/year of sales EDC343,000 t/year of VCM340,000 t/year of PVC

Boiling reactor at LVM, Tessenderlo, Belgium250,000 t/year of EDC

Ethylene

Oxygen CO2

High-purity EO

MEG

DEG

TEG

Water

EGreaction

EOreaction

EOrecovery

CO2

removal

EGdewatering

EGpurification

MEG = mono ethylene glycol, DEG = di ethylene glycol, TEG = tri ethylene glycol

Light ends removal &

EO purification

8

EO/EG production process

Ethylene oxide (EO) is one of the chemicalindustry’s most versatile products. Its variousderivates – ethylene glycols, glycol ether,ethoxylates and ethanolamines – are used inthe production of plastics, and in the manufac-ture of solvents, brake fluids, cosmetics, pro-pellants, antifreeze etc. An emerging applicationis the manufacture of 1,3-propanediol.

In the next few years the ethylene oxide marketis estimated to grow by more than 5% per year.Mono ethylene glycol is the most importantderivative of ethylene oxide. Its growth is drivenby an increasing demand for polyester, bothbottle-grade and fibre-grade.

Besides low feedstock prices and large capaci-ties, the application of best available technologyis of key importance. Shell is one of the leadingEO/MEG manufacturers and licensors as well asthe leading supplier of EO catalysts. The qualityof the glycol produced by the Shell processranks among the highest in the world and meetsthe most stringent specifications for polyesterfibre-grade and bottle-grade PET. Furthermore,the Shell process is known for its high safetystandards and its low environmental impacts.

For the engineering and construction of EO/MEGplants, Uhde uses Shell's outstanding EO/MEGtechnology and provides plant concepts whichpermit economical production. Uhde is one ofShell’s authorised basic engineering contractors.Current project capacities range from 100,000t/year to 600,000 t/year. At the moment a360,000 t/year MEG is being constructed atChengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

Ethylene oxide EO, Ethylene glycol MEGWorld-class processes

3.2

9

CNOOC / Shell Nanhai Petrochemical Complex, ChinaEO/EG plant: 320,000 t/year of mono ethylene glycol Glicoles Mexicanos, Coatzacoalcos,

200,000 t/year of mono ethylene glycol

Petrochina Sichuan PetrochemicalCompany, Chengdu, China 360,000 t/year mono ethylene glycol

Propylene

Hydrogenperoxide

Propylene recycle

Methanol recycle

PO

Waste water

Reactionunit

Decompressing/Propylene recycling

Methanolprocessing

POpurification

New Evonik/Uhde propylene oxide technology

Propylene oxideOn the basis of an exclusive partnership Evonikand Uhde have jointly developed an innovativeco-product free and environment-friendlyprocess for the production of propylene oxide(PO) from propylene and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) with the aid of a special catalyst. Theprocess has incorporated years of experiencegained through the operation of a pilot plantwith all relevant process steps. The pilot plantdemonstrated under practical conditions theabsence of co-products as well as the environ-mental compatibility and high product yield ofthe process, thus enabling it to be developed tomarket maturity. The Evonik/Uhde HPPO tech-nology has successfully been in commercialoperation since 2008 and has proven itself in a plant which is the first of its kind.

Operation is highly cost-effective due to efficientfeedstock consumption, high-performance andlow capital investment. The epoxidation reactoris specially designed for the exothermic reactionand combines efficient heat transfer with analmost ideal plug-flow characteristic. The lowercapital investment compared to other state-of-the-art PO technologies allows the investor to bemore flexible in his investment decisions. A fur-ther advantage: We can also provide our STARprocess® for the production of propylene feedvia oxydehydrogenation of propane.

Other organic chemicalsFor the production of formaldehyde frommethanol Uhde licences two process variantsbased on silver and metal oxide catalysts,respectively, via its subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer. Formaldehyde is mainly used for theproduction of synthetic resins, for instance forthe production of urea-formaldehyde resins,which are used as adhesives for the productionof plywood and particle board. Process tech-nology for the production of these resins is alsoavailable from Uhde Inventa-Fischer.

As a process-oriented engineering companyUhde also offers, on a case-to-case basis, processes for the production of further organicchemicals such as oxo alcohols, vinyl acetateand purified terephthalic acid. We offer theseprocesses in cooperation with various well-known producers and licensors.

In order to ensure that we offer customers the optimum technical and economic solution,we operate proprietary pilot plants, such asthose for distillation, extraction and extractivedistillation processes. In addition, we are alsoequipped with a number of test racks for testing new catalysts or process schemes.

Propylene oxide and other organic chemicalsOptimum technical and economic solutions

10 3.3

World's first HPPO plant successfully in commercial operation since 2008

11

Propylene oxide pilot plant

12

Uhde’s experience in the design of HDPE plantsstretches as far back as the 1950s. The firstplant was constructed in 1959, and by 2005Uhde had already carried out the engineeringfor more than 30 plants around the worldbased on the Hostalen® process. The overallcapacity of all the plants constructed amountsto more than 4 million tonnes per year. Additionalplants with a capacity of 3 million tonnes peryear are under construction.

The HD Hostalen® slurry process, originallydeveloped by Hoechst AG, is now marketed by LyondellBasell, the largest manufacturer of polyethylene in Europe.

HDPE products are mainly used in film, pipes,blow moulding applications, injection mouldingapplications, tapes and fibres. And it is herethat bimodal products used primarily in themanufacture of high-quality pipes and films are particularly worthy of mention.

LyondellBasell’s HD Hostalen® slurryprocess for the production of unimodal and bimodal HDPE

In the past, Uhde engineers have continuallyconfirmed their expertise in this area by work-ing with the licensor to incorporate the latesttechnological innovations in HDPE technologyinto their plants. Their scope of services coversevery aspect of plant design, from basicengineering to detail engineering. And whilstthe first plant designed by Uhde had a capacityof only 6,000 tonnes per year, today’s plantsnow achieve capacities of 400,000 tonnes peryear.

The list of polyolefin plants designed by Uhdein the last few years is impressive and includessome of the world's largest HDPE plants:• 2 HDPE plants, each 300,000 t/year,

commissioning 2006• 300,000 t/year MD/HDPE plant,

commissioning 2006• 300,000 t/year HDPE plant,

commissioning 2007• 220,000 t/year HDPE plant,

commissioning 2008Uhde has taken on a large part of the EPCCservices (engineering, procurement, construc-tion and commissioning) for these contracts up to and including the turnkey supply of theplants.

High-density polyethylene HDPEA wealth of practical experience

Catalystpreparation

Catalystcompounds

Polymeri-sation reactor Receiver

Hexane

Hydrogen

Hexane

Ethylene +Comonomers

Polymerisation Hexane separation and drying

Decantercentrifuge

Pellethomogeniser

DryerStabilisers

Extruder

Pelletising Homogenisation/Dispatch

4.1

13

300,000 t/year HDPE plantMarun Petrochemical Co., Bandar Imam, Iran

250,000 t/year HDPE plantSABIC Polyolefine GmbH, Gelsenkirchen

300,000 t/year HDPE plantJam Petrochemical Co., Bandar Assaluyeh, Iran

14

LyondellBasell’s LupoTech T® process for

the production of a broad range of LDPE

homopolymers and vinyl acetate copoly-

mers

Uhde has been actively involved in the con-struction of low-density polyethylene plantssince these polymers were first produced on acommercial scale. The design work carried outby Uhde's engineers in this field provides proofof their many years of experience.

In the field of LDPE, Uhde works particularlyclosely with LyondellBasell, Europe's largestmanufacturer of polyethylene with an annualcapacity of more than 2.5 million tonnes. Todate, Uhde has designed LDPE plants whichare capable of an overall annual capacity ofapprox. 1.5 million tonnes.

Uhde has been highly successful with its LDPEplants in China. In 2005 not only the world'slargest has been commissioned, which has acapacity of 400,000 t/year of LDPE, but wealso completed the basic engineering for a250,000 tonne-per-year plant for Maoming.

Uhde's expertise in working pressures in excessof 3,000 bar is proof not just of an excellentprocess knowledge, but also of exceptionalstructural know-how. Moreover, the expertise ofour design engineers is ideally enhanced by theexpertise of our own high-pressure manufac-turing facilities at our subsidiary Uhde HighPressure Technologies.

The engineering and construction services provided by Uhde include all process steps in-herent in a plant, beginning with the extremelysensitive reactor system and extending to theextrusion, drying, storing and packing units.

The polyethylene obtained in the high-pressureprocess is predominantly used in the manufac-ture of films, but is also used for cable sheaths,blow and injection-moulded parts and pipes.

Low-density polyethylene LDPEFull engineering service enhanced by our own high-pressure equipment manufacturing facilities

Compression

Ethylene

LP recycle gas compressor

Precompressor

HP separator

Final compressor

Reactor

LP separator

Melt extruder

Pellet silo

High-pressure (HP)recycle gas

Low-pressure (LP)recycle gas

Moderator

Vinyl acetate

Initiator

Polymerisation Pelletising Dispatch

4.2

15

3D model of one of the world's largest LDPE plants400,000 t/year of LDPE

High-pressure pipe reactor for LDPE

LDPE plant in China

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LyondellBasell's Spheripol® process for the production of polypropylene homo-polymers plus random and heterophasiccopolymers

Polypropylene (PP), first produced commerciallyin the 1950s, is one of the fastest growing com-modity thermoplastics. It is commonly used inthe production of films, fibres and yarns, house-hold goods, food packaging, bottles, crates,containers and car parts. Most of the propyleneproduced in the world is used for PP manufac-ture.

Today's polypropylene production technology isthe result of 40 years of continual development.Uhde started building its first PP plants in the60s, but the main technological progress wasnot achieved until the 80s when important newcatalysts were introduced and reactor designwas optimised. Since then, Uhde has con-structed plants which produce more than 2.2million tonnes per year of PP and has managedto increase plant capacity considerably fromproject to project.

Uhde collaborated with Basell in this area formany years. In 2007 Lyondell and Basell joinedforces combining two major industry players to create a new global leader. Since then, wehave worked with LyondellBasell on a numberof projects. LyondellBasell's Spheripol® processis the worldwide leading technology for PP production, and its Spherizone® process is THEnew breakthrough process using a multizonecirculating reactor for the production of all types

of polypropylene and novel polyolefins. In 2005Uhde signed a contract for the basic engineer-ing of China's biggest single-line polypropyleneplant at Tianjin Petrochemical Company whichcomes on-stream in 2009. The plant is based onLyondellBasell’s Spherizone process. It has acapacity of 450,000 t/year.

By combining LyondellBasell’s PP technologywith Uhde's STAR process® for the dehydro-genation of propane (PDH) to propylene, theproduction costs for polypropylene can be significantly decreased, because cheap propanefeedstock from natural gas liquids (NGL) orassociated gas can be used.

This process route is becoming more and more important because there is no equivalentcapacity increase in propylene production fromconventional sources (i.e. steam crackers andrefineries) to meet the increasing demand forpropylene. A propylene demand/supply gap hasbeen forecasted for the future, leading the waytoward wide application of propylene on-purposetechnologies like PDH.

Uhde can supply tailor-made solutions for thepropane - propylene - PP process chain.Common utility units (e.g. steam generationunit, refrigeration unit, cooling tower etc.) canthus be used, further increasing the feasibilityof such projects.

Polypropylene PPProven process gives you the leading edge

Bulk polymerisation Gas phase copolymerisation Steaming Drying

Catalyst +cocatalysts

Propylenerecycle

to condenser

Steam Nitrogen

PP powder

HydrogenPropylene

Hydrogen

Propylene

Ethylene

4.3

17

350,000 t/year PP, EPPC, Port Said, EgyptPP Spheripol® loop reactors© LyondellBasell 2002

18

The most widely used process in the manufac-ture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) involves suspen-sion polymerisation. The homopolymers pro-duced are commonly used in pipes and cablesmanufactured using extrusion and mouldingapplications. Another extremely widespread useof PVC-S is the manufacture of sections for win-dow frames. In addition, PVC-S is also used inthe production of transparent films and in themanufacture of injection-moulded parts.

Uhde’s experience in the design, engineeringand construction of PVC plants goes as farback as the 1960s. In designing plants forPVC-S, Uhde works exclusively with Vinnolit,one of the 10 largest PVC manufacturers in theworld. Overall, the worldwide capacity of plantsbased on the Vinnolit PVC-S process is about 1.8 million tonnes per year.

The Vinnolit PVC-S process uses a high-perform-ance polymerisation reactor, which is availablein sizes up to 175 m3 and achieves an annualproductivity of up to 600 t of PVC per m3 of reactor volume. Vinnolit's technology does notrequire chilled water and can be operated with-out or in combination with a reflux condenser.For drying the wet PVC cake Vinnolit has de-

Suspension polyvinyl chloride PVC-SThe entire process chain from UhdeCl2, EDC, VCM and PVC

Vinnolit's suspension PVC process includes a high-performance reactorand a cyclone dryer

Polymerisation Degassing Drying

VCM

Activator

Demin. water

Dispersing agent

Cooling water

Cooling water

High-performance-reactor

Blowdown vessel

Pre-degassingvessel

Steam

Slurry

Degassingcolumn

to waste water treatment unit

Cyclone dryingsystem

Centrifuge

PVC powder to silo

Air

Off-airCooling water

veloped a special cyclone dryer, which has beenlicensed via Uhde to many PVC producers world-wide.

The successful execution of numerous projectscan be ascribed to the close partnership betweenVinnolit, as the licensor, and Uhde. Based onthis cooperation Uhde has gained a significantcompetitive edge: Uhde is the only engineeringcompany able to provide customers, from a single source, with the entire process chain fora PVC complex, from chlorine manufacture toEDC/VCM and PVC production.

The world's largest integrated single-train PVCcomplex, which includes the complete processchain as described, is being built by Uhde on thePersian Gulf for ARVAND Petrochemical Co. Thepolymerisation section of this complex is equippedwith 150 m3 high-performance reactors.

As in all other cases, our cooperation withVinnolit is not just aimed at marketing the tech-nology, but also at continuously developing theprocess. Joint development projects comple-ment the experience gained in production,research and licensing procedures. Together,they form a stable basis for continuous opti-misation of the process.

4.4

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3D model of one of the world's largest PVC complexesARVAND Petrochemical Co., Bandar Imam, IranCapacities of the complex:570,000 t/year of chlorine329,000 t/year of sales EDC343,000 t/year of VCM340,000 t/year of PVC

Inside view of a PVC high-performance reactor

PVC high-performance reactor115 m3 volume

20

Highly efficient production plants are of majorimportance in covering the increasing worlddemand for high-quality plastic products andsynthetic fibers. As a plant construction con-tractor and special supplier, Uhde can offernumerous first-class proprietary processes forthe production of polyesters (PET/PBT/PEN/PTT)and polyamides (PA 6/PA 6.6) via its subsidiaryUhde Inventa-Fischer, the leading technologysupplier for these polymers. In total, UhdeInventa-Fischer has built more than 400 poly-ester and polyamide 6 plants worldwide andideally enhances Uhde’s technology portfolio.

Polyesters are the feedstock basis for a widevariety of plastic products, such as fibres andfilm as well as bottles and other mouldings.Polyester plants based on a continuous poly-condensation process once required up to fivereactors, but Uhde Inventa-Fischer has suc-ceeded in reducing this number to just twothrough technological innovations.

At the same time, the production capacity ofpolyester plants has been increased over theyears. Today, Uhde Inventa-Fischer is able toprovide most competitive, high-capacity plants.

The two key technological features of the newhighly economical two-reactor single-streamtechnology (2R technology) are the proprietary

ESPREE® tower reactor which combines theesterification and prepolycondensation stages in a single vessel and the proprietary DISCAGE®

reactor – a shaftless basket/disk-type reactorwhich operates extremely efficiently and ensuresoptimum postcondensation despite high viscos-ity. Uhde Inventa-Fischer can offer a number ofdifferent DISCAGE® reactor types. These cover abroad spectrum of polyester applications forvarious final viscosities.

The high molecular polyester product from theDISCAGE® reactor is transferred directly to:• direct spinning machines (textile-grade

and technical-grade applications) or • film and sheet casting machines

(film applications, Melt-To-Film MTF®)or it is discharged to the extrusion heads andconverted into chips (pellets).

The latest big step in the polyester technologyis Melt-To-Resin MTR® Technology which com-pletely replaces the conventional solid stating(SSP) process. Meanwhile, the technology is in operation in high capacity plants. It is basedupon the well-proven 2-Reactor technology.Direct production of high-viscosity polyestermelt allows generation of bottle grade resin,sheet for containers, technical yarns and tyrecord in a one-step polycondensation process,thus saving more than 30% of conversion costsand adding to chips quality.

Polyester PETUhde Inventa-Fischer – a partner to rely on

2-reactor Melt-To-Resin MTR®

process for PET production Paste mixer Esterficationand Prepoly-condensation

ESPREE®

Polycondensation

DISCAGE®

reactor

Chip production

Conditioning

Chips storage

Chip bagging

Chips cutting andConditioning

Chips storage

PTA

ADD

PIA

EG

4.5

21

2-reactor plant for textile grade PET in Belarus which can use both PTA and DMT as a raw material

2-reactor plant with SSP forbottle grade PET (Russia)

2-reactor Melt-To-Resin MTR®

plant in Oman for APET sheet production

22

Polyamide polymers (PA)Technically mature production plants for poly-amide 6, known under the brand names Nylonand Perlon®, at the time revolutionised the textileindustry. Now Uhde Inventa-Fischer’s plantshave a leading technological edge throughoutthe world. The company’s innovations includetwo-stage and also single-stage polymerisationprocesses with 100% feedstock yield for theproduction of polyamide 6 granules for textile or technical applications. Uhde Inventa-Fischeris the only engineering company with the abilityto exploit both polyamide 6 technologies.

Uhde Inventa-Fischer can now build polyamide6 plants with daily capacities of up to 360 tonnes.In fact, the company has been responsible forconstructing more than 50% of the world’s totalpolyamide 6 production capacity built in the lastfive years.

Batch processing of polyamide 6.6/11/12/6.10and co-polyamides, such as engineering plastics,moulding compounds and other polymers, canbe carried out in proven autoclave plants witheither discontinuous or continuous drying andSSP units.

Biodegradable polymer polylactide (PLA)Polylactic acid or Polylactide – PLA for short – isa biodegradable polymer based on renewable re-sources. The feedstock for Uhde Inventa-Fischer’sPLA process is glucose or sucrose producedfrom any starch or sugar containing raw materialsuch as corn, cereals, cassava, sugar cane orbeet, etc. The feedstock may be sourced locally.It is expected that PLA will be sourced fromnon-food, cellulosic materials in the long term.The application range of PLA is similar to PET. It is applied as packaging material (film, sheet,bottles), textiles (filament, fibers, nonwovens),and engineering plastics.

The continuous PLA polymerization is the centralpart of the PLA process. It is based upon poly-mer grade L-lactic acid which comes from thefermentation of glucose to L-lactic acid. Thepolymerization of PLA resembles in some respectother melt-phase processes such as PA 6 andPET where Uhde Inventa-Fischer has long-termexperience and offers well proven equipment.

Today Uhde Inventa-Fischer is in the position tolicense its technology for PLA production plantswith annual capacities of industrial size. With its mini plant Uhde Inventa-Fischer can performcustomer specific polymer grades developmentand sample production.

Polyamide and special polymersUhde Inventa-Fischer – a partner to rely on

Uhde Inventa-Fischer’s two-stagePolyamide 6 process

4.6

Polycondensation Extraction

Extract Water Regeneration

Drying

23

Kuibyshev Azot’s PA 6 complex in Russia, producing 215 t/d of Polyamide 6 for all applications

Polylactic acid Raw materials and products

DSM, Emmen, NetherlandsPolyamide 6 film plant

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