Major polyolefins producer Borealis is studying the feasibility of building another propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit at its site in Kallo, near Antwerp, Belgium. The plant’s targeted capacity is 740,000 t/y of propylene, making it one of the largest and most efficient facilities in the world, according to the Austria-headquartered company, which has already selected Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex technology.

Borealis already produces around 480,000 t/y of propylene at an existing PDH plant at Kallo. “In Europe, propylene demand is increasing while the supply growth from steam crackers and refineries is slowing down. With the market tightening, an on-purpose propylene investment is needed to ensure a reliable platform for continuous, long-term growth in propylene and its derivatives in Europe,” said Thomas Van De Velde, vice president, Hydrocarbons & Energy at Borealis.

The feasibility study will be carried out over the next nine months, with a final investment decision anticipated in the third quarter of 2018. Start-up has been potentially scheduled for the second half of 2021.