Propylene oxide
Shell chemicals companies are leading players in propylene oxide and its principal derivatives - polyether polyols and propylene glycols. Foams in furniture and car seats, artificial sports tracks, building insulation, waterproof clothing and aircraft de-icers are just some of the many ultimate applications of propylene oxide.
Product overview
Propylene oxide (PO) is a colourless, reactive liquid used primarily as a building block for the manufacture of a versatile range of derivative products. PO can be produced using a number of technologies including the Shell proprietary 'SM/PO' process.
PO derivatives and their applications include:
- polyether polyols (poly-alcohols) for use in urethane applications such as rigid foam, flexible foam, and Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomer (CASE) systems
- polyether polyols for use in non-urethane applications such as surfactants and oil demulsifiers
- propylene glycol for aeroplane de-icers, fibreglass-reinforced unsaturated polyester resins, and hydraulic fluids
- propylene oxide glycol ethers and propylene carbonate solvents
- butanediol for engineering plastics and fibres
- polyalkylene glycol fuel additives and lubricants
- modified starches and allyl alcohols
Our key strengths in propylene oxide
- Integrated global manufacturing and supply network
- Strong position in propylene oxide technology
- Long-term commitment, having entered the market in 1957
History in PO and derivatives
Substantial capacity growth has been fuelled by continual developments in our proprietary SM/PO technology and world-scale, integrated manufacturing assets strategically placed to meet customer needs.
This same commitment drove the establishment of our polyurethanes research and technology centre in Bangalore, India, providing our customers with practical advice and support on the issues that matter to their industries.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1957 | First propylene oxide plant acquired in Carrington, 麻豆传媒 |
| 1959 | First polyether polyols produced in Carrington |
| 1964 | New polyol plant starts up in Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 1970 | New TDI/MDI joint venture plant starts up in Antwerp, Belgium (halted production in 2003) |
| 1971 | Major polyol plant expansion at Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 1980 | First SM/PO plant starts commercial production in Moerdijk, The Netherlands |
| 1988 | New "product" laboratory opened in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium |
| 1990 | Polyols and SM/PO de-bottlenecking in The Netherlands |
| 1997 | Shell Seraya Research Laboratory opens in Singapore |
| 1997 | SM/PO, polyols, MPG plants start up in Singapore |
| 1998 | New rigid polyols facility starts up at Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 1999 | New SM/PO plant starts up in Moerdijk, The Netherlands |
| 1999 | New polymer polyol capacity becomes available |
| 1999 | Shell/Huntsman strategic alliance on rigid foam urethanes |
| 2002 | New SM/PO, polyols plant starts up in Singapore |
| 2003 | New styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) polymer polyol plant in The Netherlands |
| 2006 | SM/PO and derivatives plants come on-stream at CSPCL Nanhai in China |
| 2007 | Closure of polyether polyols plant at Carrington 麻豆传媒 |
| 2008 | Opening of new R&D centre in Bangalore, India. Expansion of polyols plant at Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 2009 | Shell Chemicals celebrates 50 years of polyols |
| 2011 | Modifications at Pernis increases capacity of CASE polyols |
