INEOS has announced the next step forwards in the design and build of its state-of-the-art PDH (propane dehydrogenation unit) at the centre of its €3bn investment to be located at its Antwerp site in Belgium.

The company has awarded SK E&C, Korea, the Front End Engineering & Design contract for the 750ktpa plant which is due to come on stream in 2023.

John McNally, CEO INEOS Project One said: “The selection of SK E&C is a significant step-forward for the development of the project. Our decision is based on a thorough and rigorous assessment of the needs of the project and the expertise of the companies capable of designing state of the art, reliable and efficient PDH units. SK E&C are best placed to help us to apply leading edge technology to the design of a reliable PDH facility.”

The signing of the contract with SK E&C took place at the INEOS Headquarters in London. The event was attended by Gerd Franken, Chairman of INEOS Olefins & Polymers, John McNally, CEO of INEOS Project ONE, Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK E&C, and Kim Chul-Jin, president of SK Advanced.

Gerd Franken Chairman of INEOS Olefins said ‘’This plant will not only be highly energy and carbon efficient but will help to give Europe a competitive and sustainable industry for years to come. The demands on the environmental performance of this unit will be very high and we are recruiting a talented team to design a plant that meets the highest standards.

The PDH process produces propylene by removing hydrogen from propane gas. The main use for propylene is polypropylene which is increasingly used in components to make cars lighter and more efficient. It is also used to produce acrylonitrile without which there would be no carbon fibre, which is increasingly important for transport, and for acrylic fibres for clothing. Propylene oxide which is also based on propylene is used in insulation foams for construction. The efficient production of hydrogen as a by-product is increasingly becoming a product of interest for future zero carbon fuel and energy systems for transportation.

About INEOS

INEOS is a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products. It has 34 businesses, with a production network spanning 171 manufacturing facilities in 24 countries. From paints to plastics, textiles to technology, medicines to mobile phones - chemicals manufactured by INEOS enhance almost every aspect of modern life. INEOS had sales in 2018 of around $60bn and EBITDA close to €6bn. Its products make a significant contribution to saving life, improving health and enhancing standards of living for people around the world.