Krupp Uhde acquires reforming
29 Mar 2000
German process technology specialist Krupp Uhde has bought the rights to an olefin-generating steam reforming process from Phillips Petroleum. The STAR (steam active reforming) process will give the company access to the growing polypropylene market, it says.
The process uses steam and a proprietary catalyst to remove hydrogen from light hydrocarbons, generating propylene from propane and butylene from butane. Investment costs are particularly low, says Krupp Uhde, and the process is suitable for large-scale plants. Two such units are already in operation, in the US and Argentina.
The deal allows Krupp to offer two complete process chains: from propane to the Targor process to make polypropylene, which is the fastest-growing of the polyolefin family; and from butane to butylene-based fuel additives, which are required by European Union fuel blending regulations. It also strengthens Krupp's position in the steam reformer market, where it already has a considerable presence.
