Sumitomo Chemical Commences a New Propylene Oxide Plant Construction.
Cooperation with Lyondell Expected to be Increased.
Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. commemorated today the groundbreaking for the construction of a 200 thousand tons per annum propylene oxide plant in Chiba Japan, based on the novel proprietary process it has developed. The plant employs a high performance catalyst also developed by Sumitomo Chemical and, with its compact configuration, has distinctive advantages over conventional process plants. It is scheduled for completion in late 2002.
Sumitomo Chemical currently undertakes the propylene oxide business through its affiliate, Nihon Oxirane Co., Ltd., which is a joint venture with Lyondell Chemical Company. Sumitomo and Lyondell recently signed a preliminary agreement for global cooperation in the commercialization of the Sumitomo PO-only process.
“We see growth opportunities in the global propylene oxide market and expect additional facilities like this one to come on stream in the future, following the successful start-up of our new propylene oxide plant in Chiba.” stated Hiromasa Yonekura, President of Sumitomo Chemical. “Lyondell and Sumitomo have been partners in the propylene oxide business through Nihon Oxirane for more than 25 years. The utilization of the technology developed by Sumitomo to produce propylene oxide without co-products would see our joint venture relationship entering a new phase.” said Morris Gelb, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lyondell Chemical Company, attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the new propylene oxide plant in Chiba.
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