Linde and Shell team up to commercialise lower-carbon technology for ethylene
Technology could lead to lower carbon emissions, offers a catalytic alternative to steam cracking.
Linde GmbH and Shell today announce an exclusive collaboration agreement on ethane-oxidative dehydrogenation (E-ODH) technology for ethylene production. The catalytic process is an alternative route to ethane steam cracking, offering the potential of economic advantages, acetic acid co-production and significantly lower overall carbon footprint through electrification of power input.
The two companies have been developing E-ODH independently for many years and this new collaboration brings together their complementary patent positions, expert know-how and common commitment to a lower-carbon future. The agreement will enable accelerated deployment of this novel technology across the wider chemicals sector, with Linde marketing to customers under the name EDHOXâ˘.
"With the EDHOX⢠process, we have not only developed a cost-efficient alternative but are also providing the petrochemical industry with a low-emission processâ, said John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Technology at Linde Engineering. âFor decades, we have been actively developing technologies for more sustainability in this industry - from efficiency improvements to carbon management and new process routes. We are convinced that Linde´s EDHOX⢠technology position will be strengthened by Shell´s intellectual property and know-how in this area."
Thomas Casparie, Executive Vice President of Shellâs global chemicals business, said âBase chemicals are transformed into a range of finished products that help society live, work and respond to climate change. We look forward to our Shell in-house innovation going on to contribute to the collective reduction of carbon emissions from the manufacture of chemicals. Itâs been great to work with Linde on this ambitious and creative combination of technology.â
Notes to Editors
- Shell and Dow have teamed up to develop, design and scale-up cracking technology that can use renewable electricity rather than fossil fuels (June 2020)
- The EDHOX⢠technology was successfully validated for commercial use in a demonstration plant at Pullach, Germany. The process is suitable for ethylene producers as well as industrial customers who need both ethylene and acetic acid to produce chemicals such as vinyl acetate monomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and polyvinyl alcohol products. As a further advantage, the pure CO2 stream extracted is suitable for further downstream processes or storage. The EDHOX⢠process can also be combined with other Linde technologies, such as the FlexASUŽ process for the flexible production of gases or liquefied gases such as oxygen or it can increase the capacity of steam crackers with potential CO2 reduction.
Linde media contact:
Elitsa.Kateva@linde.com
+49 173 4204003
Shell Chemicals media contact:
James.Forth@shell.com
+44 207 546 7067
About Linde
Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2019 sales of $28 billion (âŹ25 billion). We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain and protect our planet.
The company serves a variety of end markets including chemicals & refining, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing and primary metals. Lindeâs industrial gases are used in countless applications, from life-saving oxygen for hospitals to high-purity & specialty gases for electronics manufacturing, hydrogen for clean fuels and much more. Linde also delivers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer expansion, efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.
For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit .
About Shell Chemicals
Shellâs global chemicals business supplies customers with a range of base, intermediate and performance chemicals used to make products that people use every day. These finished products contribute to societyâs ability to live, work, care and respond to climate change. As global demand for chemicals increases, we plan to grow our business, by understanding and providing for our customersâ needs. Our business is versatile and resilient. We have strong market positions, integrated world-scale assets, leading technologies and a commitment to a sustainable future. References to the expressions âShellâ, âShellâs chemicals businessâ or âShellâs chemical plantsâ refer to multiple companies that are part of the Shell Group that are engaged in chemical or related businesses. For more information, please visit www.shell.com/chemicals.
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