LyondellBasell launches autoclave technology for polymers

Rotterdam, The Netherlands - LyondellBasell Industries has launched a high-pressure autoclave process technology for the production of speciality low density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) products. This Lupotech A  technology is designed for the manufacture of advanced products with demanding processing requirements, such as adhesives and sealants with vinyl acetate content of up to 40%, or LDPE chemical structures with unique properties.

According to the company, Lupotech A features a unique reactor design with multiple zones, a new injection scheme for both monomers and initiators, an advanced pressure and temperature profile control across the reactor, and a special agitation system that allows for high conversion rates.

"Products from the Lupotech A process complement the LDPE and EVA portfolio covered by the leading tubular process Lupotech T," said Kaspar Evertz, LyondellBasell's senior vice president of licensing. Given the number of LDPE autoclave plants that have been in operation for many years, the new Lupotech A technology will provide additional opportunities for scale-up and for production optimisation."