UOP LLC and Total Petrochemicals to Integrate Methanol-to-Olefins and Olefin Cracking Processes

UOP LLC, a subsidiary of Honeywell (NYSE:HON), and TotalPetrochemicals announced today they have signed agreements for a jointdevelopment program to integrate technology aimed at increasing theproduction of light olefins, the basic chemical building blocks formany commonly used plastic products.

Under the agreements, Total Petrochemicals will construct ademonstration plant at its petrochemicals complex in Feluy, Belgium.The demonstration plant will consist of a UOP/HYDRO methanol-to-olefin(MTO) process unit and a Total Petrochemicals/UOP Olefin Crackingprocess unit. The integrated plant will feed an existing, large-scalepolymerization pilot plant. The basic engineering for thedemonstration plant is complete and detailed engineering, procurementand construction activities are scheduled for kick off prior to theend of this year. The demonstration plant is expected to come onstream in 2007. The program is anticipated to allow furtheroptimization of the combined processes that Total Petrochemicalsintends to apply to a commercial plant.

"This is a significant milestone in demonstrating a lower costalternative to crude oil-based production of light olefins," saidCarlos Cabrera, UOP president and CEO. "We value our relationship withTotal Petrochemicals as both a joint development partner and a leadingproducer of light olefins."

The UOP/HYDRO MTO process converts methanol to ethylene andpropylene along with some heavier olefins. The TotalPetrochemicals/UOP Olefin Cracking process converts these heavierolefins predominantly to propylene with some associated ethylene.

By integrating the two processes, Total Petrochemicals and UOPwill demonstrate a very significant increase in the production oflight olefins, particularly propylene.

"We believe that gas-to-olefins will play an important role in thefuture production of petrochemicals in a high-price oil world," saidJean-Bernard Lartigue, President of Total Petrochemicals. "Theintegration of the Total Petrochemicals/UOP Olefin Cracking Processwith the UOP/HYDRO MTO Process provides a truly economical route forproduction of light olefins from methanol."

UOP also remains active in MTO joint development with Hydro ofNorway. Hydro has successfully operated an MTO demonstration unit inNorway since 1995.

UOP LLC, headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, USA, is a leadinginternational supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts,adsorbents, process plants, and technical services to the petroleumrefining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. UOP is awholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell Specialty Materials, a strategicbusiness group of Honeywell. Find out more at www.uop.com.

Total Petrochemicals, the chemical branch of the oil group Total,is one of the major producers of base chemicals and petrochemicals inthe world. Total Petrochemicals' activities are structured into fourcore businesses: Base Petrochemicals, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, andStyrenics. Find out more at www.totalpetrochemicals.com.