Sibur said it expects that the alliance with Technip Energies will “produce license agreements with international polyolefin makers and integrate the technology into complex design solutions to build new manufacturing capacities for advanced PE grades.”

Used in the production of HDPE and LLDPE, 1-hexene is a co-monomer that enhances the resins’ quality and properties versus commodity grades. For example, using 1-hexene can reduce the amount of plastic and lower the grade’s environmental footprint by providing the same barrier properties in a thinner film.

Darya Borisova, a member of Sibur's management board and head of R&D, commented: “Sibur is currently selecting a site within the group's range of facilities for production of hexene-1 with the Hexsib technology to satisfy its own and market needs as the company expands its portfolio of high value grades and share of co-monomers.”

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist