Page 24 - Plastics News February 2021

CompAny news

Clariant signs catalysis research LyondellBasell and Sinopec JV

partnership with ETH Zurich to manufacture PO and styrene

university monomer in China

lariant has signed a yondellBasell and the
Ccooperation agreement with LChina Petroleum &
ETH Zurich to support research Chemical Corporation
in catalysis and sustainable (Sinopec) have announced
chemistry with a significant the signing of an agreement
financial contribution over an to form a 50:50 joint venture
initial period of 10 years. The (JV) which will produce
goal of the partnership is, firstly, propylene oxide (PO) and
to advance the understanding styrene monomer (SM) in
of catalyst properties – from China's domestic market.
nano- to macroscale – and First announced on 23
their performance. Secondly, December 2019, the JV will
together with the ETH Foundation, Clariant will sponsor operate under the name Ningbo ZRCC LyondellBasell
and collaborate in fundamental chemical research New Material Company Limited. "As China's economy
projects, promoting talented ETH scientists and continues to grow, so will demand for propylene oxide
students. Hans Bohnen, member of Clariant’s Executive and styrene monomer. We are excited to expand our
Committee, commented: “We are honoured to announce relationship with Sinopec through this joint venture
our research agreement with the prestigious ETH in order to better serve China's domestic market.
Zurich. The partnership, like those with other academic Sinopec's outstanding operational capabilities combined
institutions, underscores our commitment to fostering with LyondellBasell's leading technology is a win-
innovation and R&D to develop groundbreaking products win," said Torkel Rhenman, Executive Vice President,
and solutions that add value to people, industries, and Intermediates and Derivatives, and Refining. "Built
the environment.” Marvin Estenfelder, Head of R&D at on the remarkable success of our first Joint Venture,
Clariant Catalysts, added: “There is no better way to we are very delighted to continue to enhance the
develop the next generation of products than through a important partnership with LyondellBasell for future
continuous exchange of ideas with future generations of achievements. The establishment of the new Joint
scientists. We look forward to realising many successful Venture is not only in line with the national drive for
projects with ETH Zurich.” Detlef Guenther, Vice President further opening-up, but also a vital step for Sinopec
for Research of ETH Zurich, stated: “The new research to deepen and expand our international operations,"
collaboration with Clariant opens great opportunities for said Yu Baocai, Senior Vice President of Sinopec
our scientists and students to expand their knowledge Corp. "We have great expectations on the new Joint
in catalysis, and benefit from first-hand expertise in the Venture for propelling the economic development of
industrial application of novel technologies.” Clariant’s the city of Ningbo to a new level. During the period
research cooperation with ETH Zurich is another important (2021-2025), Sinopec will continue to promote green
milestone for the company, further expanding its industrial upgrading and innovative transformation,
partnerships with prominent global academic institutions, contributing to the everlasting economic growth of
which already include the Technical University of Munich, Zhejiang Province and Eastern China, and even the
Germany, and Tianjin University, China. ETH (the Swiss development of the chemical industry in China."The
Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich) is one of the JV will construct a new PO and SM unit in Zhenhai
world’s leading universities, currently recognised as the Ningbo, China. This new unit will have 275 kilotons
sixth best by QS World University Rankings. Founded in per annum (KTA) capacity of PO and 600 KTA capacity
1855, the university has a strong tradition in science and of SM. The unit will use LyondellBasell's leading PO /
technology. SM technology.

Plastics News Februar y 2021 24