US-based KBR, a global engineering company, has been awarded contracts for a technology license, basic engineering design services and proprietary catalyst supply by Lihuayi Lijin Refining & Chemical for a new olefins production unit in Dongying, China.

The unit will use KBR's proprietary Catalytic Olefins Technology (K-COT) and Selective Cracking Optimum Recovery (SCORE) Technology.  

KBR K-COT is a commercially proven and flexible technology for converting low-value olefinic, paraffinic or mixed streams into high value propylene and ethylene. In combination with KBR's state-of-the-art SCORE technology, it helps users to maximize feed and product flexibility, and thus enables Lihuayi to increase overall profitability as they further integrate their refinery towards petrochemicals.

Lihuayi has previously successfully implemented KBR's phenol technology at its site in Dongying.

"Lihuayi always follows the direction of developing petrochemical business in a green and energy-efficient way," said Xu Yunting, chairman and chief executive officer of Lihuayi Group. "KBR's innovative catalytic olefin technology fits our corporate development plan well and we believe it can help Lihuayi to further speed up the progress of industry upgrading and to be more competitive in the market."

"We are extremely pleased to support Lihuayi on this new project," said John Derbyshire, president, KBR Technology. "Lihuayi is a ground-breaking company with the strategic vision to develop a new approach to the downstream chemical business in China. KBR's innovative technologies make us the partner of choice to fully support Lihuayi in accomplishing their vision."

KBR has been a leader in olefin plant design, construction and technology development for more than 50 years. – TradeArabia News Service