MOL/Inovacat tie-up to promote naptha-based propylene
Hungary’s MOL Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Inovacat, a Dutch technology innovator in the refining and petrochemical industries to commercialise Inovacat’s breakthrough Gasolfin technology that converts naphtha into propylene, butylene and BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylene), while supporting MOL’s strategic objective to become a leading chemical company in Central Eastern Europe.
MOL says it will support the next stages of the development programme of Inovacat and will investigate different options for the implementation of Gasolfin in its production facilities. This patented technology delivers propylene yields up to 45% depending on the feedstock, can convert any light straight run naphtha including pentanes and is fully flexible on product output without a catalyst change-over. It is also at least 30% more energy efficient than comparable conventional processes, with CO2 emissions being at least 25% lower.
Through its cost-leading, drop-in technology Inovacat says it enables any refiner or petrochemical company to fully integrate their operations for maximum profitability and flexibility, providing them with a competitive advantage in their markets.
“A main challenge of the MOL 2030 Strategy is to increase production of value-added products while reducing the production of fuels over the next 15 years. We are investigating technical solutions to develop our existing refining and petrochemical asset base, but we are also very interested in new technologies like Inovacat’s Gasolfin, that can potentially significantly help us meet our goal,” said David Pullan, VP Group Downstream Technology & Development.
As MOL Group’s 2030 transformational strategy aims to diversify the company away from fossil-based motor fuels, it is continuously looking for new innovative technologies that increase the flexibility and strengthen its footprint in the petrochemicals business.
By 2030, MOL plans to increase its non-fuel production in refining from the current 30% to 50% of total output, which will be done mostly through increasing feedstock transfer to chemicals.
In order to reach its strategic goals, MOL plans to invest around US$4.5 billion into its petrochemical segment by 2030, focusing mainly on the extension of the propylene value chain in the next five years.