Egyptian Propylene & Polypropylene Company (EPPC), Egypt

At the end of January 2007 Egyptian Propylene & Polypropylene Company (EPPC) announced that it was to build a propylene/polypropylene (PP) complex in Port Said, Egypt. The company is investing $680m in the complex, which is expected to become operational during late 2009.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

The turnkey contract for building the complex was awarded to Germany’s Uhde.

Along with the propylene and PP plant, each with a capacity of 350,000tpa, the complex will also include utilities and offsites as well as air fractionation and refrigeration units.

The contract includes a technology licence, basic and detailed engineering, supply of equipment, construction, training of operating personnel and commissioning.

PROPYLENE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY

Uhde will provide its proprietary Steam Active Reforming (Star) process technology which will be used for the commercial-scale production of propylene from the feedstock propane. Uhde’s Star process is used for the dehydrogenation of light hydrocarbons such as propane to propylene or butane to butylenes.

Uhde said that this project will mark the first time that the Star technology will be used for the commercial-scale production of propylene from propane.

Uhde originally acquired the Star process technology from US company Phillips Petroleum in 1999. Since that time Uhde has developed the technology further.

POLYPROPYLENE (PP) PROCESS TECHNOLOGY

Germany’s Basell will provide its Spheripol process technology for the 350,000tpa PP plant, which will produce "a wide range of high-quality PP pellets".

The process is said to be the "world’s most widely used technology" for the production of polypropylene. EPPC will supply the PP to both the domestic and export market.

FEEDSTOCK

Propane feedstock will be sourced from Egypt’s natural reserves.

BACKGROUND

EPPC is a 50:50 joint venture between Egypt’s Oriental Petrochemicals Company and the state-owned Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company.

The PP pellets will have a wide range of market applications, including textiles, rigid flexible packaging, consumer goods and automotive. Products from EPPC’s plant will meet domestic and export demand.