Technip, Chemetry sign licensing agreement for EDC technology

PARIS, FRANCE: Technip SA and Chemetry Corporation have signed a cooperation agreement for the licensing and engineering of Chemetry’s eShuttle technology for the production of ethylene dichloride (EDC).

EDC is a commodity chemical produced worldwide and used primarily for Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic production. The technology significantly lowers energy use, reduces the carbon footprint and improves the safety of the chlor-alkali and EDC industries.

The technology uses a unique metal halide ion process to produce high purity EDC without the generation of harmful chlorine gas. The process significantly reduces electrical power consumption compared to latest generation chlor-alkali processes. Power savings can be reduced by nearly half compared to an older diaphragm or mercury-based processes.

In addition, the process is ideally suited for integration with oxygen depolarized cathode technology, which further increases energy savings. The technology was pioneered in Chemetry’s laboratory and integrated pilot demonstration facilities in Moss Landing, California.

The agreement leverages Chemetry’s expertise in electrolyzer design and halide chemistry with Technip’s global strength in technology licensing, process scale-up, engineering and procurement.

Technip’s operating centre in Boston, US, will manage the agreement, with support from Technip’s office in Lyon, France. Both centres have first-of-a-kind technology development and engineering experience and are part of Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology, which looks after Technip’s expanding portfolio of onshore process technologies in petrochemicals, refining, hydrogen and syngas, polymers and gas monetization.

The eShuttle technology uses the same feedstocks and produces the same products (EDC, caustic and hydrogen) as conventional processes, making it ideal for retrofitting existing chlor-alkali/EDC plants especially where electrical costs are high. It also offers EDC producers the ability to expand production within the same cell room footprint and power requirements.

“Since its founding, Chemetry has been focused on redefining how chemicals are made. From lower energy requirements and improved margins to less impact on the environment and safer operation, we are developing a technology platform that will have a lasting impact,” said Dr Ryan Gilliam, CEO, Chemetry.

“Our strong technology, engineering and commercialization experience coupled with Chemetry’s catalysis and electrochemistry expertise will enable us to provide customers with a complete technology and engineering package, a single point of interface and the highest quality standards. With the support of Technip’s technical teams, we look forward to bringing the technology forward to full commercialization,” added Stan Knez, president, Technip stone & webster process technology.

Read More: Technip, Chemetry sign licensing agreement for EDC technology