Polyolefin Specialty Products

The present report reviews the technology of production for three specialty polyolefins: poly(4-methylpentene-1) (PMP), polybutene-1 (PB), and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UUMWPE). Economics for processes to manufacture these polymers are presented respectively in Sections 4, 5, and 6. Section 4 also presents the economics for a 4-methylpentene-1 (4-MP-1) monomer process, an integrated PMP process combining the operations of both monomer and polymer production, and two 4-MP-1/decene-1 copolymer processes. Section 6 also gives the economics of a UHMWPE-HDPE polyblend process.

The Industry Status section of this report was contributed by the Polymer Business Department, Chemical Industries Division, SRI International.

The major properties of the specialty polyolefins reviewed in this report are given in an appendix.

Other PEP Related Reports:

• Specialty Polyolefins: VLDPE 173A