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EXPANDING PETROCHEMICAL BASKET THROUGH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HPGRDC is working in developing novel polyolefins like polyethylene, polypropylene, drag reducing polymers, value addition of the C4 & C5 refinery stream into high reactive polyisobutylene & DCPD hydrocarbon resin
E S. BHARATHAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - R&D HPCL
stablished across a vast range of modern products, petrochemicals are part of the fabric of our societies. Clothing, tyres, digital devices, packaging, detergents, and countless other everyday items are made from petrochemicals. Petrochemical feedstock accounts for 12% of global oil demand, a share that is expected to increase driven by increasing demand for plastics, fertilizers and other products. Petrochemical industry also includes various types of polymers and elastomers and is now an integral part of the refining industry. It is highly capital and energy intensive as well as dependent on demography of the area in terms of feedstock availability. In spite of that, it is the one of the fastest growing industries and the companies with secured feedstock have competitive advantage, therefore, hold the commanding position. The following chart exhibits the projection of various thermoplastics which form the major part of petrochemical basket: However, the industry’s landscape is being shaped by shifts in end-market demand,
The production of MEG without producing byproducts such as DEG and TEG is one of the best examples of R&D efforts to address the problem of maximizing the specific consumption of ethylene in MEG manufacturing process.
changes in feedstock dynamics, overcapacity, increasing regulatory focus, and a growing push toward sustainability. In addition, the recent upsurge of global trade restrictions has not only changed the manufacturing dynamics but also severely affected the business scenario. The environmental concern with respect to generation of CO2 from refinery and petrochemical processes as well as from other chemical industries leading to global warming has put forward many challenges to the existing industry. Therefore, the industry is seeking answers to mitigate these challenges and these are one of the prime concerns of the existing chemical and petrochemical industry. In addition, it is worth mentioning that for an industry to sustain and survive it has become pertinent for it to diversify its product portfolio depending upon the constantly changing market scenario which is forcing all the industrial houses especially the one engaged in the manufacturing of petrochemicals. It is now well understood by various industries whether struggling for sustainable growth or to drive the diversification in terms of expanding their product basket and to meet such external threats as mentioned above; the companies have invested heavily in the Research and Development (R&D) programs to maintain a leading position. R&D is the striking feature of the innovation process. It is a pool of human resources that has been built up gradually depending upon the priorities of various research programs with clear objectives and defining the deliverables.
