A press conference at the K '95 trade fair in Düsseldorf served as the platform for Borealis (HQ: Lyngby Hovedgade 96, DK-2800 Lyngby) to officially unveil its proprietary polyethylene technology. The new bimodal linear technology, to be marketed under the registered tradename of "Borstar", is being heralded as a major development in the polyolefins industry worldwide. Borstar polyethylene technology is based around a loop reactor and a gas phase reactor operating in cascade with a highly specialized proprietary catalyst. The loop reactor operates under supercritical conditions using propane as a diluent. The process gives the possibility to design the molecular weight distribution, as well as comonomer content and distribution.

One of the key benefits of the Borealis technology is its ability to provide a very wide range of product properties, while at the same time offering easy start-ups and grade switches. Enhanced mechanical properties and processability will be among the benefits of the products produced by the new technology. These will be especially beneficial for advanced applications, such as pipe, film, moulding, and wire and cable.

The first plant based on Borstar technology is Borealis' new 120,000 t/y PE plant at Porvoo in Finland to be commissioned at the end of this year. Borealis will later utilise the technology further in other existing sites across Europe. In addition, the company intends to offer the technology outside of Europe through joint ventures, such as the intended jv project in Oman announced earlier this year.

With Borstar, and other technology developments which are now at an advanced stage, Borealis is aiming for a leading position in the polyolefins process and catalyst technology arena. Borealis is already Europe's leading producer of polyolefins and the fifth largest in the world.

READER SERVICE: Comprehensive press release with further details on the Borstar technology: PIE-No. 38386 – Company profile brochure "Facts & Figures", with list of plants: PIE-No. 38387 – Brochure "Plastics – A Responsible Use of Resources": PIE-No. 38388.