Metgas Processing Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Italian engineering group Maire Tecnimont, has executed a framework agreement with Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical to commercialize both companies’ gas-to-propylene technologies.

Under the agreement, Metgas and Mitsubishi will offer a combined package of their technologies that produce propylene derivatives from methane-rich gas feedstock.  Metgas will lead global licensing activities for the Italian firm’s gas-to-propylene process developed jointly with Siluria Technologies as well as Mitsubishi’s technology for producing oxo alcohols, acrylic acid and acrylic ester.

Metgas said the deal expands its portfolio by offering technology to produce propylene derivatives in countries where only natural gas feedstock is available. According to the Milan-headquartered company, the combined production of oxo alcohols, acrylic acid and acrylic ester accounts for roughly 15% of global propylene demand with a compound annual growth rate of about 5%.