Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, announced that its Business Unit Catalysts has signed long-term cooperation agreements with CB&I's Lummus Novolen Technology GmbH business unit.
The two companies will combine and ramp up R&D efforts to develop improved polypropylene catalyst and donor technologies. When successful, existing and future Lummus Novolen licensees and other polypropylene producers will be supplied with the new catalyst developed by a new state-of-the-art Ziegler-Natta polypropylene catalyst production line.
Clariant and Lummus Novolen will jointly invest about CHF 65 million in this new state-of-the-art polypropylene catalyst production line at Clariant's catalyst production hub in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The plant is expected to be on stream in 2015.
By leveraging the successful licensing and process design experience of Lummus Novolen and the strong catalyst R&D capabilities of Clariant, the two companies expect to further strengthen their joint position in polypropylene catalyst.
The polypropylene Ziegler-Natta catalyst market is expected to continue the high growth pace shown over the last decade with estimated growth rates of more than five percent in the next five years.
Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant, stated: "The strategic partnership with Lummus Novolen is a significant milestone for the catalyst business. It strengthens our competitive position in a market with future perspectives and strong growth rates.
"This cooperation is another example for the successful implementation of Clariant's strategy which is focused on innovation, portfolio management and profitable growth."
"This alliance between Lummus Novolen and Clariant in the field of polypropylene catalyst will strengthen the innovation potential to better serve the needs of our clients. The state-of-the-art catalyst production plant will guarantee continuous supply and consistent product quality," said Daniel McCarthy, Executive Vice President and President of CB&I's Technology operating group.
"With this new direction, the Lummus Novolen technology portfolio will become an even more attractive offer to the growing polypropylene market."
