The companies said the combined technology could save money compared with other available PDH routes.

"The collaboration with ExxonMobil is exciting not only for new K-PRO customers but also for existing K-PRO licensees who could have the potential to increase capacity and reduce operating expenses by upgrading to the new catalyst," said Doug Kelly, KBR president, technology. “This joint technology offering, which is anticipated to feature substantially reduced energy consumption, adds to KBR’s growing portfolio of sustainable solutions.”

James Ritchie, president of ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing, added: "KBR's K-PRO technology and our next generation catalyst are a great fit and our collaboration with KBR will significantly help to reduce time to commercialize our next generation catalyst for PDH.”

In separate news, KBR announced it has won a contract for a world-scale olefins plant to be built on the US Gulf Coast. KBR did not disclose the name of the customer, other than describing it as “a leading midstream company.”

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide the license and engineering for the plant that will produce 2.4 million t/y of light olefins. According to KBR, the combination of its K-COT and SCORE steam cracking technology will “deliver the most innovative design, support energy transition and advance refining-petrochemical integration opportunities in the US Gulf Coast.”

“We are excited to support our client’s vision for this ambitious petrochemical venture,” said Kelly. “Along with meeting their objective to address growing light olefins demand, our technologies will deliver leading decarbonization techniques and provide the platform to incorporate plastics circularity into the project plans.”

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist