Today's oil and natural gas derivatives, naphtha or ethane, are used to produce olefins, which are subsequently converted into polyolefin, the raw material for plastics. To diversify the source of plastic feedstock, Total has just cleared the way for producing olefins and polyolefin from methanol. The oil group has installed a demonstration plant, which represents the first world application of the technology, at its petrochemical site in Feluy, Belgium.
Total said that its purpose is to assess the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of two integrated processes that produce olefins and subsequently polyolefin from methanol, which can be obtained from natural gas, coal or biomass, in near industrial conditions. UOP/Hydro's MTO (Methanol To Olefins) process makes it possible to convert methanol into light olefins, ethylene and propylene, and into heavier olefins during stage one. Stage two involves transforming the heavy olefins into light olefins, and specifically into propylene thanks to OCP (Olefin Cracking Process) of UOP/Total Petrochemicals. All the olefins are then converted into polyolefin in a pilot polymerization facility located near Total's Feluy research center.
Forty-five million euros were invested in the technological and strategic project that will enable Total to meet two major challenges. The first is to diversify its supply sources for petrochemistry by lowering its oil dependence. The second is to increase propylene yield thanks to the integrated facility, representing a major business asset in a world where the demand for polypropylene is high.
