Aug 13 2004
Sasol today announced construction of a new 1-octene production plant at Secunda in South Africa to meet growing global demand from plastics manufacturers for this hydrocarbon molecule that imparts special performance features such as elasticity, flexibility, impact resistance and strength to plastic consumer products.
"The new 1-octene plant, the third located at Secunda, will produce 100 000 tons of 1-octene a year and will effectively double Sasol's 1-octene capacity to 196,000 tons per year when it comes on stream by the end of 2006", says Sasol chief executive Pieter Cox.
The three plants are operated by Sasol Olefins and Surfactants, which forms part of Sasol's chemical businesses, and first delivery from the new plant is expected to reach global customers by January 2007.
"Current global consumption of 1-octene is approaching 500 000 tons per year, and demand is expected to grow at a rate of 6 to 8% per year. This new plant will boost Sasol's output to one third of total global production if current demand continues," Cox said.
Sasol Olefins and Surfactants is a leading producer of hydrocarbons such as 1-octene, 1-pentene and 1-hexene for use as chemical intermediates in the production of plasticizer alcohols, polymers, polyethylene, fatty acids, detergent alcohol and lubrication oil additives.
Combinations of 1-octene,1-hexene and 1-pentene are often used to engineer a host of specific characteristics such as strength, thinness, elasticity and puncture resistance in products ranging from dense and durable plastics for wire coatings, automotive interiors, raincoats and strong garbage bags to low-density, high-quality shopping bags, cling-wrap film and a myriad of related consumer plastics.
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