core sector communique

Linde signs contract for second linear alpha olefin plant with Alpha-SABLIN® process

Munich, July 3, 2012 – Linde Engineering, a division of the Linde Group, is set to build a new Alpha-SABLIN® plant for the production of linear alpha olefins (LAO) in Nizhnekamsk, Russian Federation, which upon completion will be operated by Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNH), a leading Russian petrochemical producer.

NKNH awarded Linde Engineering contracts for license, basic/detail engineering and supply of equipment and materials for revamping of NKNH’s existing LAO plant.

The plant is expected to come on-stream by mid of 2014, supplying NKNH with 37.5 kta linear alpha olefins with maximized production of C4 and C6 fractions. The revamp project will partially make use of the existing equipment of NKNH’s former LAO plant with implementation of Alpha-SABLIN® technology.

Alpha-SABLIN® is a superior and flexible full range process for the production of linear alpha olefins by selective catalytic oligomerization of polymer grad ethylene, jointly developed and owned by Linde Engineering and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).

“The project is a major breakthrough for Alpha-SABLIN® and will strengthen our growing position in the market segment for linear alpha olefins”, says Florian Penner, Product Manager LAO at Linde Engineering. “It proves the excellent reputation of this new technology derived in a relatively short period after full commercialization in 2009”.

Since 2009 the first full scale Alpha-SABLIN® plant with a capacity of 150 kta linear alpha olefins built for Jubail United Petrochemical Company (UNITED) in Al Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has successfully demonstrated the outstanding performance and profitability of the Alpha-SABLIN® process.

About The Linde Group

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 50,500 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2011 financial year, it generated revenue of EUR 13.787 bn. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The Group is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.