LyondellBasell receives reactor for US Hyperzone HDPE project in Texas

NEW YORK (ICIS)–LyondellBasell has received delivery of its Hyperzone high density polyethylene (HDPE) project’s multi-zone circulating reactor on site at La Porte, Texas, the company told ICIS on Thursday.

LyondellBasell receives the Hyperzone polyethylene multi-zone reactor at its La Porte, Texas site. (LyondellBasell)

The company broke ground on the 500,000 tonne/year project in May, and start-up is scheduled for 2019.

“Our team is doing an excellent job driving the next phase of this important project that will advance polyethylene technology for the plastics industry,” said Chris Cain, site manager at LyondellBasell’s La Porte complex.

The company’s Hyperzone PE technology enables manufacturing of a broad spectrum of HDPE products in one single plant, whereas previous technologies require multiple plants. It will produce resins that provide lightweighting capabilities for customers according to LyondellBasell.

The reactor, about five-stories-tall, was shipped from South Korea and travelled about 11,000 miles before arriving at the company’s La Porte Complex dock in October, the company said.