ThyssenKrupp and Evonik signed a hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) process license and technical service agreement with Zibo Qixiang Tengda Chemical Co., Ltd. (Qixiang Tengda for short). The signing ceremony was held in Guangzhou.
According to the agreement, ThyssenKrupp will be responsible for the process design and key equipment supply of Qixiang Tenda's new plant. Evonik licensed Qi Xiangtenda's unique hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) process technology to support the production of the latter's propylene oxide plant. In addition, the two companies reached a long-term supply agreement with Qi Xiangtenda on the catalyst used in the HPPO process.
Propylene oxide is mainly used in the production of polyurethane foam, which is widely used in automotive parts, interior decoration, heat insulation materials, coatings, sports shoes and sports equipment. By 2025, the global polyurethane market will grow at a rate of 3% to 5% per year, and China is one of the most important growth markets.
"We combine proven technology with innovative solutions to achieve high-quality intermediates," said Peter Sieben, head of the oxide, vinyl and specialty chemicals business unit at ThyssenKrupp's Industrial Solutions business area. Production is efficient and environmentally friendly. In this way, we help our customers explore new markets and sustainably expand their value chain. "
Claus Rettig, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik's Resource Efficiency Business Segment, said: "We are honored to have reached a strategic partnership with Qi Xiangteng. With the improvement of China's environmental awareness, HPPO will become the technology of choice for the sustainable production of propylene oxide. There is no major by-product of this process other than water. "
In the next few years, Qi Xiangtengda will build a comprehensive plant at its Zibo base in Shandong Province, which can produce up to 300,000 tons of propylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide required for the HPPO process. The initial planning phase of the plant will start in mid-August 2019 and it is expected to be put into production in the first half of 2022.
HPPO is the abbreviation of "Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide". It is a process for the production of propylene oxide (PO) directly from propylene peroxide. It was jointly developed by ThyssenKrupp and Evonik. The key technology is an HPPO catalyst tailored specifically for the process. Compared to traditional propylene oxide production processes, HPPO investment costs are significantly reduced and more cost effective. In addition, due to its high selectivity, the process is very environmentally friendly-no water other than by-products are produced.