LyondellBasell's (LYB) Hostalen Advanced Cascade Process (Hostalen ACP) technology has been chosen by China Energy Group Ningxia Coal for a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant.
The facility, to be located in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, will have an annual capacity of 300 kilotons.
The Hostalen technology is known for manufacturing multimodal HDPE resins.
These resins are distinguished by their balance of stiffness and toughness, impact resistance, and high-stress cracking resistance.
These properties make them suitable for use in film, pressure pipe, blow moulding, and cap and closure applications.
Operations at the new plant will commence with the use of the Avant Z501 and Avant Z509-1 catalysts, enabling the production of a comprehensive range of multimodal HDPE products.
China Energy Group Ningxia Coal senior project manager Zhou Jiliang said: "The selection of the Hostalen ACP low-pressure slurry process technology was key to us as in the current market environment the production capability is key to differentiate in the market.
“The Hostalen ACP process technology and related Ziegler catalyst chemistry allows us best to deliver on that demanding goal.”
Licensees of this technology have the opportunity to join LYB's Technical Service Program.
This programme offers access to continuous production improvement, sustainable product development expertise, and advanced catalyst knowledge.
LYB’s portfolio extends beyond the Hostalen ACP process technology.
This includes other licensed polyolefin processes and catalysts such as Spheripol, Spherizone, Lupotech, Metocene PP, and Avant.
LYB global licensing and services senior director Patrik Schneider said: "China Energy Group Ningxia Coal's selection of our technology reaffirms LyondellBasell's credibility in the polyethylene market.
“Further, with this license, the global nameplate capacity of Hostalen ACP will exceed 13 million tons per year, which demonstrates the success of this leading technology.”
Recently, LYB completed the acquisition of APK, a solvent-based recycling company based in Merseburg, Germany.
