Sasol will construct a multi-million USD new 1-octene production plant at Secunda in South Africa to meet growing global demands from plastics manufacturers for this hydrocarbon molecule that helps to impart special performance features such as elasticity, flexibility, impact resistance and strength to plastic consumer products. “The new 1-octene plant will produce 48 000 tons of 1-octene a year and will replicate the existing train which started producing in 1999 at the same capacity, pushing overall output to 96 000 tons when it comes on-stream by the end 2004, says Sasol chief executive Pieter Cox. The two plants are operated by Sasol Olefins and Surfactants, which forms part of Sasol Chemical Industries and first delivery from the new plant is expected to reach global customers by January 2005.
Octene is often used in combination with hexene and pentene in products ranging from dense and durable plastics for wire coatings, automotive interiors, raincoats and garbage bags to shopping bags, cling-wrap film and myriad related consumer plastics.
