The now UK-headquartered group, which built the original facility, said the revamp will enable Slovnaft to meet rising demand from the polyolefin processing industry. The work calls for extending the facility’s capacity by 18% to 300,000 t/y of PP3 per year, and expanding the storage facility from the current 45 to 61 silos.

Slovnaft’s plant is designed to offer a higher degree of operational flexibility by producing multiple product grades and utilizing intermediate storage to ensure just-in-time production. Linde said the overhaul will encompass environmental measures to capture waste gas streams in compliance with local regulations.

According to the contractor, the project is challenging given its complexity, as its   connection to other process facilities allows only a narrow time frame for a shutdown; however, Jürgen Nowicki, CEO Linde Engineering, said the company’s expertise will enable it to  complete all installation works, including construction, commissioning and testing.

Gabriel Szabó, executive vice president of Downstream at MOL, said one of the goals of the group’s updated 2030+ strategy is to reduce production of fossil fuels and strengthen the production of standard plastics.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist