Borealis to build world-scale PDH plant in Belgium

In a bid to boost its polypropylene business in Europe, polyolefins producer Borealis AG has announced plans to build a new, world-scale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant at its existing production site in Kallo, Belgium.

The plant – which will have a targeted production capacity of 750,000 tonnes per year – is scheduled to start up in the first half of 2022.

Borealis’s site in Kallo, Belgium.

The Kallo location has been chosen due to its logistical position and its experience in propylene production and handling, the company announced, adding that it has selected Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex technology for the new plant. This technology is widely used and is a reliable and sustainable choice for on-purpose propylene production, Borealis said.

“This important investment in our European assets fully supports our strategy to be a leading supplier of innovative polypropylene solutions and propylene to our customers in Europe,” said Thomas Van De Velde, Borealis’s vice president of hydrocarbons and energy business. “We are showing our commitment to support the growth of our customers in Europe and strengthen our position as the leading supplier while increasing our integration economics and supply reliability.”

Oiltanking Antwerp Gas Terminal has been agreed upon as the long-term logistics partner for the handling of propylene and propane as well as for the construction of a new 135,000-square-meter propane storage tank. The produced hydrogen will be sold to Air Liquide under a long-term agreement. Both agreements are subject to the positive final investment decision.