DSM set to build biggest Asian LDPE plant
15 Jan 2000
DSM has signed a deal with Petronas of Malaysia and Polifin of South Africa to build the largest single-line low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in Asia at Kertih in Malaysia. The plant, of which DSM will own a 20 per cent stake, is scheduled for start-up in 2001.
The plant will use DSM's clean tubular reactor process, which has been licensed from the Dutch firm's Stamicarbon subsidiary. The process uses constant pressure and a non-fouling polymerisation reaction. According to the company, this gives high on-stream times and highly processable polymer grades.
The Kertih plant will have a capacity of 255,000tpa, and cost some $170million. Its output will satisfy demand for flexible polymers, expected to grow significantly between 2001 and 2010.
