The first facilities to be construct within the framework of the venture could be for the manufacturing of chromium catalysts
SIBUR has commenced the construction of Russia’s largest production facility for catalysts for modern materials. The facility will permit SIBUR to create a full cycle of developments within the enterprise, from laboratory developments to industrial manufacturing of modern synthetic materials.
About 90% of procedures in the petrochemical industry need the use of catalysts. In the procedure of attaining base polymers, catalysts ensure the essential course of the reaction, and the properties of the material and the quality of the finished product largely depend on them.
Oksana Kostomarova, young scientist, chief expert of the polyolefin synthesis laboratory of the SIBUR development research facility, stated: “We set the structure of the polymer with an accuracy down to the tactile sensation. The identical polyethylene can be soft, like bread packaging, or hard, like that used to make fuel tanks. If we make a catalyst for packaging, strength with minimal thickness is essential to us. For medicine – biocompatibility and sterilizability. For the automotive industry – resistance to affects and temperature deformations. The catalyst becomes the beginning point — the parameters that then effect on the economy, safety and ease of use depend on it. It is similar to programming, only on the chemical level.”
The first facilities to be constructed in the framework of the venture may be for the manufacturing of chromium catalysts. This kind of catalyst is used at Kazanorgsintez, ZapSibNeftekhim, and also will be used at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex. Chromium catalysts are vital in the manufacturing of film and blown polyethylene grades, used, as an example, to supply bottles and fuel tanks. Completion of construction and launch of manufacturing are predicted in 2027. Investments within the production of chromium catalysts alone will amount to more than 11 billion rubles.
The second level is planned to construct a manufacturing facility for metallocene catalysts, which might be used to produce in particular durable polyethylene grades, as an example, for pipes with a service life of up to 100 years. The technology for such catalysts was received through scientists from Moscow State University: this development is deliberate to be use at Nizhnekamskneftekhim to produce metallocene polyethylene.
Aliya Khusnuriyalova, PhD in Chemistry, young scientist, expert on the polyolefin synthesis laboratory of the SIBUR Innovations research center, added: “At SIBUR, we combine essential and industrial science, developing top notch solutions and cool innovative products. Joint work with scientific institutes assist develop domestic technologies that are not not as good as Western analogues. One of the promising venture is the development of metallocene catalysts. They have an extremely high activity, almost unattainable for traditional catalysts. Metallocene catalysts permit for focused regulation of the molecular structure of polymers and the manufacturing of a huge range of latest polymer materials with advanced characteristics.”
Mikhail Karisalov, Chairman of the Management Board, General Director of SIBUR, stated: The start of construction of the catalyst factory in Kazan is an essential step closer to creating a complete cycle of development in petrochemistry, wherein science becomes the place to begin of development. We are creating an innovative platform, combining essential research, applied engineering, digital solutions and industrial competencies. We don’t just localize technologies – we create new markets and set standards for industrial development for years to come.
