LyondellBasell Launches New Family of Fifth-Generation Polypropylene Catalysts

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Sep 14, 2012, 08:00 ET

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) today announced the launch of a new family of fifth-generation non-phthalate catalysts for polypropylene (PP) production. These catalysts will be sold under the existing Avant trade name and complement the company's well-established third-, fourth- and fifth-generation Ziegler-Natta PP catalysts.

"LyondellBasell is the leader in PP catalyst sales and development with a strong market position in fifth-generation catalyst technology," said Jim Seward, LyondellBasell Director of Catalyst and Licensing Business. "This new family of catalysts will further extend our offering in that field, targeting the full range of PP products and applications."

Seward continued, "This development aligns with a continued market interest in using existing fifth-generation diether and succinate catalysts for a range of product applications. For example, there is a market trend to extend the use of diether catalysts, already the established benchmark for the production of polymers used in spun-bond fiber, high melt flow impact copolymers and random copolymer, to also produce BOPP and raffia grades."

LyondellBasell produces polyolefin catalysts in Ferrara, Italy, Frankfurt and Ludwigshafen, Germany and Edison, N.J. The Avant catalyst range comprises of the following families:

Avant ZN - Ziegler-Natta catalysts for polypropylene
Avant Z - Ziegler catalysts for polyethylene
Avant C - Chromium catalysts for polyethylene
Avant M - Metallocene catalysts for polypropylene

LyondellBasell is also a leading licensor of polypropylene and polyethylene technologies with more than 250 polyolefin process licenses.

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500 Index. LyondellBasell (www.lyondellbasell.com) manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.

SOURCE LyondellBasell Industries