UOP LLC, a subsidiary of Honeywell, recently announced that Viva Methanol, part of Eurochem Group, has chosen UOP/Hydro’s MTO (Methanol to Olefins) technology and Total Petrochemicals/UOP’s olefin cracking process to produce light olefins from natural gas-derived methanol at a new facility in Nigeria. This facility, located within the Lagos Bonded Zone, marks the first industrial-scale project to combine both technologies, making it a groundbreaking development in the petrochemical industry.
The plant will use locally available natural gas, which is cost-effective and abundant in the region, to produce ethylene and propylene—key building blocks for plastics. With an annual output of 1.3 million tons of these materials, the facility will support the production of packaging, pipes, carpets, films, and other plastic products. UOP will provide full technical support, including process design, catalysts, and specialized equipment, while the project is expected to start operations in 2012.
According to the chairman of Viva Methanol, the MTO technology enables the company to leverage Nigeria’s natural gas resources, offering a more economical alternative to traditional crude-based feedstocks. The plant will process 10,000 tons of methanol daily, making it the largest of its kind globally. “UOP’s technology allows us to convert methanol into high-value olefins, meeting the rising demand for plastics in Africa and beyond,†he said.
The UOP petrochemicals division expressed excitement about the progress, noting that the natural gas-to-olefins route provides a significant competitive edge for producers. Although UOP had conducted preliminary designs for the project back in 2003, recent advancements in MTO and olefin cracking technologies have allowed for greater efficiency and scalability.
The MTO process, developed jointly by UOP and Hydro-Norway, uses a patented catalyst to convert methanol into ethylene and propylene with high yields and minimal byproducts. It also offers flexibility in production levels, allowing manufacturers to adjust output based on market needs. The olefin cracking technology, developed with Total Petrochemicals, enhances the overall yield of ethylene and propylene while reducing unwanted hydrocarbon byproducts.
Viva Methanol, a subsidiary of Eurochem Corporation, is based in Nigeria, with Eurochem itself headquartered in Singapore. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of natural gas as a feedstock in the global chemical industry and underscores the potential for innovation in sustainable petrochemical production.
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