Texas, US – KBR has licensed Sumitomo Chemical’s propylene oxide by cumene (POC) manufacturing technology. Houston-based KBR is a provider of science, technology and engineering services, operating globally.
KBR will deliver the technology to customers around the world, alongside its existing phenol technology. The predominant use of PO is in the manufacture of polyurethanes.
Sumitomo’s proprietary POC process uses a titanium catalyst, with the cumene acting as the oxygen carrier. It generates a lot fewer by-products than the older chlorhydrin and organic hydroperoxide processes, giving it a significantly lower carbon. The company said the high-yielding process also generates less wastewater, and has an optimised energy recovery system.
“Sumitomo Chemical’s POC technology not only delivers the co-product-free pathway to produce propylene oxide but also significantly reduces carbon emission through the recent enhancement of its energy efficiency features,” said Jay Ibrahim, president of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions. “This aligns with KBR's vision and commitment towards providing sustainable solutions to its customers.”