PKN Orlen lets contract for new petrochemical unit at Plock complex

Polski Koncern Naftowy SA (PKN Orlen) has let a contract to Badger Licensing LLC to provide technology for a new unit to be included as part of a project to expand phenol production capacities at its 327,300-b/d integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Plock, Poland (OGJ Online, Dec. 2, 2019).

As part of the May 12 contract, Badger Licensing will deliver the basic engineering design package as well as licensing of its proprietary technology to make isopropanol from acetone for a grassroots isopropanol unit, PKN Orlen said.

Basic engineering design work and launch of the selection process for a general contractor on the proposed project—which, if approved, would include the isopropanol unit as well as associated systems and infrastructure—are scheduled to start in the coming months, the operator said.

The project to expand Plock’s phenol and acetone value chain is one of four included in PKN Orlen’s Petrochemicals Development Programme (PDP), which aims to position the company to take full advantage of its potential in petrochemicals by adding some 30% to the operator’s existing capacity while ensuring a marked improvement in Poland’s overall trade balance in petrochemicals.

"Petrochemicals have huge potential we want to harness to deliver maximum value. Expanding this business line is of strategic importance to PKN Orlen and Poland’s economy, with our [PDP] set to turn the country from petrochemical importer to petrochemical exporter," said Daniel Obajtek, president of PKN Orlen’s management board.

The proposed isopropanol unit also would have the additional advantage of making Poland more secure in the event of an epidemic, as isopropyl alcohol—a less expensive substitute for ethanol or methanol—has antiviral properties and is used in the production of antiseptic fluids, according to Obajtek.

Launched in 2018 and requiring an estimated investment of about 8.3 billion zloty, the PDP—which alongside the isopropanol unit also includes plans to build an aromatic derivatives plant—will be implemented through yearend 2023.

PKN Orlen previously let contracts to add a new visbreaking unit, increase production of ethylene and aromatics, and improve flexibility of gasoline production as part of the Plock petrochemicals expansion (OGJ Online, Feb. 27, 2020; Sept. 13, 2019).