Grace Boosts Polypropylene Capacity in India with Nayara Energy

W. R. Grace & Co. (Grace), a leading independent supplier of polypropylene (PP) process and polyolefin catalyst technology, has announced that Nayara Energy Limited has successfully commenced operations at its new plant in Vadinar, Gujarat, India. This facility boasts a capacity of 450 kilotons per annum (KTA) and employs Grace’s UNIPOL® PP process technology. Utilizing Grace’s non-phthalate CONSISTA® catalysts, Nayara Energy is now producing a diverse range of PP grades tailored for applications in the pharmaceutical and health and hygiene sectors. Additionally, the plant's operations are enhanced by Grace's UNIPOL UNIPPAC® process control software, ensuring optimal performance.

Sergey Denisov, Chief Development Officer of Nayara Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting it as a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory. He noted, "We are glad to partner with Grace for our first PP unit. Our goal is to produce the highest quality non-phthalate based homopolymer, random copolymer, and impact copolymer polypropylene resin for both domestic and international markets."

Alessandro des Dorides, CEO of Nayara Energy, commented on the company’s entry into the petrochemical sector, emphasizing the rapid growth of the industry in India and the rising demand for innovative products across various applications. He stated that Nayara Energy intends to leverage strong partnerships to develop top-tier offerings and aims to set new quality benchmarks for its clients. With this new initiative, the company targets an 8% market share and positions itself as a key contributor to India’s energy security.

Thomas Deman, President of Specialty Catalysts, Supply Chain, and Procurement at Grace, shared his support for Nayara Energy’s expansion, noting that the combination of their licensing technology, catalysts, and process control software will optimize reactor performance. He believes this collaboration will enable the Vadinar refinery to meet the increasing demand for polypropylene in the region.

With a global licensed production capacity exceeding 34 million tons and over 5,000 KTA in India, Grace is recognized as a leading licensor of polypropylene process technology. The high-performance polypropylene resins produced using UNIPOL® PP process technology are widely used in various applications, including automotive components, packaging materials, and consumer goods. This strategic partnership between Grace and Nayara Energy marks a significant step forward in enhancing the polypropylene landscape in India and addressing the growing market needs.

Grace's UNIPOL® PP technology offers innovative solutions that ensure Plant Lifetime Performance™ for its licensees in the competitive global polypropylene resin market. With over 100 licensed reactor lines worldwide, it produces a comprehensive range of polypropylene homopolymers, random and impact copolymers, and terpolymers, totaling nearly 300 standard grades. This advanced technology simplifies mechanical and operational processes while reducing installation and operating costs. It also accelerates project timelines, facilitates quick start-ups, and allows for flexible grade transitions. By integrating Grace’s proprietary technology, CONSISTA® catalysts, and UNIPAC® process control software, licensees gain a significant advantage for achieving optimal performance and business outcomes.