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IOC selects cumene technology from Lummus

for phenol project

Lummus Technology, a global Phenol manufacturing process increasing popularity of the ethylene Paraformaldehyde Spain
provider of process technologies and The classical process for phenol – route for methyl methacrylate (MMA) –
value-driven energy solutions, has accounting for most of all phenol an important end-use for acetone now –
announced that Indian Oil Corporation produced worldwide – is based on instead of the traditional acetone
Ltd. (IOC) has selected the Lummus/ cumene and involves the co-production cyanohydrin route, could pose a
Versalis cumene technology for a 440- of acetone. The process starts with threat to future acetone growth and 91-92-93-96% Prills
ktpa unit in Paradip, Odisha. The new reacting benzene and propylene to yield consumption.
cumene unit is part of a grassroots petro- cumene, which is then converted into
chemical and polymers expansion at cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) by In India, phenol mainly serves as one
IOC’s complex in Paradip. oxidation in air. In the second step of the of two raw materials for production of PF
process, purifi ed CHP is split to yield resins, which fi nd use as adhesive, parti-
“Our cumene technology will offer phenol and acetone in equimolar pro- cularly in the plywood industry. There
Indian Oil lower energy costs, reliabi- portion, producing about 0.61-tonnes are other relatively smaller end-uses for
lity, operational effi ciency and excep- of acetone for every tonne of phenol. phenol as well, including for making
tional product yield, which will help foundry resins, alkylphenols and several
them optimise their plant economics The economics of this ‘2 for 1’ fi ne chemicals. Phenol’s high exposure
and support their growth initiatives,” process benefi ts from the twin revenue to the PF resins market in India – to the
said Mr. Romain Lemoine, Chief Busi- streams it affords and is usually a extent of about 60% of total demand –
ness Offi cer for Polymers and Petro- factor in its favour. But balancing the sets it apart from elsewhere in the world,
chemicals, Lummus Technology. “We markets for the two products can also wherein BPA represents half of global Pentaerythritol 98% Spain
look forward to continue working be a challenge. Phenol and acetone phenol demand, and PF resins represent
with Indian Oil on another successful serve very different markets – except only a quarter.
project and building on our long-time for bisphenol A (BPA) manufacture
relationship.” (which requires both) – and acetone Demand for phenol in India has tradi-
demand is more diverse than for phenol. tionally been growing around GDP
Lummus’ scope includes the tech- In the recent past, most plants have levels – averaging a CAGR of about
nology license for the cumene techno- been built primarily for the phenol 7%. Between 2019-20 and 2021-22,
logy, basic design engineering, proprie- needed to make derivatives including growth fell sharply – to about 4%
tary catalyst, site services, advisory BPA, phenol-formaldehyde (PF) annually – due to Covid but has since
services, and training. resins, intermediates for nylons, alkyl- recovered to the trendline growth.
phenols, etc.
IOC has licensed multiple Lummus The acetone market presents a more
technologies, including naphtha cracker, Phenol & acetone markets complex picture. Historical growth Sodium Formate 97% Spain
INDMAX FCC and polypropylene The main driver of phenol demand rates have been lower than for phenol,
technologies at complexes across globally (though not in India) is BPA, at a CAGR of 4%. Again, COVID
India. which demand, in turn, is driven by took a toll, with demand decline seen
two important end-uses: polycarbonate in 2020-21 and virtually no growth in Contact Sole Agent
Lummus and Versalis have part- (PC) and epoxy resins (in order of the ensuing year. The prognosis for the
nered to license cumene technologies importance). Growth rates for acetone, near-term is better, but only slightly so. FLUORODYECHEM
since 2007. The cumene process is a typically used as a solvent, have tended
liquid-phase alkylation technology to lag phenol, in part because important India remains a signifi cant importer A-311/312, Kanara Business Centre, Laxmi Nagar, Ghatkopar (E), Mumbai-400 075.
using a proprietary zeolite catalyst and is end-use segments for acetone, such as of both phenol and acetone, and Tel: 022-25001958/25000348/67988454 w Fax: 022-25000464/21716029
characterised by a very high cumene coatings, are seeing a switch to water- several of their derivatives. Imports Email:dyechem777@gmail.com
yield, ultra-high purity cumene pro- based systems on grounds of environ- in FY23 were around 400-kt (phenol)
duct and a long catalyst run length. mental friendliness. Furthermore, the and 210-kt (acetone. Liason Offices at : KOLKATA and SOUTH INDIA

130 Chemical Weekly May 7, 2024 Chemical Weekly May 7, 2024 131

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