Technology Type

Modern Technology for the Production of Polyethylene are either High Pressure Radical-initiated Bulk Polymerization or Ethylene or Low Pressure Catalytized Polymerization of Ethylene.

High-Pressure Ethylene Polymerization Processes take place in either Tubular Reactors or Continuously Stirred Autoclave Reactors.

Catalytic Low Pressure Catalytic Polymerization Processes take place:

• in a Slurry Phase with a Diluant in Loop Reactors or Continuously Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTR)
• in Gas Phase in Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR)
• In Solution in a Solvent in Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors or Circulating Reactors

In case of Low Pressure Catalytic Processes, when a Combination of different Reactor Types and different Polymerization Phases is employed, the Process is called a Hybrid Technology.

Such is the case for the:

• Borstar^® PE Technology from Borealis
• Hyperzone PE Technology from Lyondellbasell