Basell will build a new Spherilene S polyethylene plant at its Wesseling industrial site near Cologne, Germany. The plant will be based on Basell’s new Spherilene S single reactor gas phase design. Start-up is planned for 2008. Basell currently operates an 80 KT Lupotech G polyethylene plant at Wesseling. This plant will be converted into a new Spherilene S plant based on latest generation technology including the installation of a new reactor system.

 “The new Spherilene S process features low investment and operating costs, high on-stream factors and monomer efficiency,” said Just Jansz, president of Basell’s technology business. “Spherilene S plants also have true swing capability between HDPE and LLDPE since both products can be produced from the same Ziegler catalyst family.”