New production process for propylene oxide
23 May 2002
BASF has developed a new process for producing propylene oxide (PO) based on hydrogen peroxide.
A pilot plant has already demonstrated the feasibility of the new technique, and BASF expects that within the next two years, a decision will be made on the location of a full-scale production plant.
When built, it would have an annual capacity of about 250,000 metric tons.
'In contrast to traditional PO production, the new PO process produces no by-products except water,' said Jean-Pierre Dhanis, President of BASF's Polyurethane division.
To supply the PO plant with hydrogen peroxide, BASF is cooperating with Solvay. The two companies signed an agreement in that respect recently in Brussels.
Propylene oxide is the most important raw material for the manufacture of polyols. Polyols are building blocks for polyurethanes. These versatile polymers are used in the automotive industry, in refrigerators, sports equipment, upholstery, flooring and the soles of shoes.
