Seoul - Korea's propylene oxide (PO) and polyester film producer SKC, has successfully started up its new PO plant in Ulsan, using the hydrogen peroxide topropylene oxide (HPPO) process, the company announced 23 July.
This is the world's first commercial use of the HPPO technology, which SKC has licensed from German companies Evonik and Uhde.
The company has invested over KRW 200 billion ($198.6 million) in the new PO plant since signed a deal to use the HPPO technology in May, 2006.
HPPO is "a leading-edge technology that many global major chemical players have been trying to commercialise in order to solve the drawbacks of existing production methods," said SKC.
These drawbacks include lack of efficiency and potential environment hazards. The new technology produces only PO with no by-products in any appreciable quantity except water, making it more cost-efficient and environment-friendly technology of choice.
The new PO plant (pictured) can make 100 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), increasing the company's total annual PO production capacity to 275 ktpa.
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