Saudi Arabia’s National Petrochemical Industrial Co (Natpet), a major producer of propylene and polypropylene, showcased advances in several material grades at K 2019, held recently in Dusseldorf, Germany.

It marked the firm’s fourth consecutive appearance at this large, triennial plastics fair.

Natpet displayed numerous products, including the recently developed polypropylene grades R40MLT-MG, R25MLT-MG and H12MLT-MG, each targeting healthcare and medical applications.

Natpet is the first and only producer in the Middle East and Africa to manufacture such resins for these demanding markets, the company said in a statement.

Natpet unveiled several polypropylene resin grades at K 2019

New random copolymer PP grade R70MLT delivers higher melt flow rates to speed up production output, and a newly commercialised, phenol-free fibre grade H25FBF for the production of bulk continuous filaments, continuous filaments and staple fibre was also shown. The material also can be used in carpet and upholstery, and in some automotive compounding applications.

“Additionally,” said Natpet chief commercial officer Jamal Malaikah, “at our booth we offered both existing and potential customers technical awareness sessions on different Natpet grades, and providing information how best to optimize use of these grades for maximum commercial feasibility.”

Machine manufacturer Fanuc Deutschland GmbH ran Natpet grades on its K Show booth, making parts from medical-grade R40MLT-MG resin.

ONGOING GROWTH

Natpet also cited its ongoing co-operation with Milliken Chemical, which began more than eight years ago, with the aim of improving the optical properties of random copolymer and other PP grades used in thermoforming.

Malaikah said: “We believe this joint development has added value to both firms, and we believe there is good reason for further co-operation.”

Natpet, meanwhile, continues to expand, having become the sole owner of Bonar Natpet Geosynthetics by acquiring the 50 per cent share of UK partner Low & Bonar. Bonar Natpet is supplying PP fibres to well-known companies worldwide, and has become the geotextiles market leader in the Middle East. It is investing to further broaden the company’s PP fibre production capabilities, it said.

Natpet has gained another new partner in Natpet Schulman Speciality Plastic Compounds (NSSPC), one of its compounding plants, following the purchase by LyondellBasell of A Schulman Inc’s global compounding business. Natpet holds a 50 per cent stake in that joint venture, which produces high-quality compounds for automotive, home appliance and other applications.

Founded in 1999, Natpet operates a 400,000 metric tonne per year PP plant in Yanbu Industrial City on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, producing a wide range of PP products. The company also produces its own, high-quality main raw material, propylene, through an integrated on-site propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant.