Two New Names in U.S. Polypropylene

It’s not every day that you get two new entrants into the U.S. PP business. ConocoPhillips in Houston entered the market with its Copylene brand of homopolymers, random copolymers, and impact copolymers. They are produced at a 775-million-lb/yr plant at the Bayway Refinery in Linden, N.J. The seven-year-old plant is owned by ConocoPhillips but its output was formerly marketed by  LyondellBasell Chemical. The current slate of 45 grades is aimed at consumer
products and packaging. ConocoPhillips is also a partner in the Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Co. joint venture, whose products are directed primarily at automotive.
   In addition, Brazilian chemicals and resins producer Braskem S.A. agreed last month to acquire the PP business of Sunoco Chemicals, Inc., Philadelphia. Sunoco has three plants in La Porte, Texas; Marcus Hook, Pa.; and Neal, W.Va., which have a combine capacity of 1.9 billion lb, or about 13% of U.S. PP capacity. The deal also includes a technology and development center in Pittsburgh. Braskem
says this move cements its role as the largest resin producer in the Americas and furthers its objective to become one of the top five petrochemical companies in the world.
(832) 486-3028 • copylene.com
(877) 481-7840 • sunocochem.com