Evonik plans Russian plant using the new HPPO process

– Evonik Industries is working with Moscow-based JSC Sibur Holding on a feasibility study for a plant in the Russian Federation to produce propylene oxide and hydrogen per-
oxide. The study, to be completed in the coming months, will confirm possible locations and capacities. The joint-venture plant would use the new HPPO process, developed jointly by Evonik and engineering company Uhde, to produce propylene oxide from hydrogen peroxide and propylene at low cost and in an ecologically sound manner. The hydrogen peroxide would come from a new plant to be built alongside the HPPO plant. It would have enough spare capacity to supply the region with hydrogen peroxide for applications such as paper and pulp bleaching. Evonik and Uhde are offering the HPPO process, including the necessary special catalyst, to other chemical companies. One of the first licensees is Korean company SKC, which plans to start up its new HPPO plant in Seoul in a few months’ time. The HPPO plant will get its hydrogen peroxide “over the fence” from a plant in Ulsan, Korea.