Polypropylene production
Polypropylene is primarily produced by polymerizing propylene in the presence of a catalyst. This process can be carried out using either steam cracking or propane dehydrogenation processes. Major players in the global polypropylene market include Exxon Mobil, Braskem, LyondellBasell, and Borealis. In 2022, the global polypropylene market volume reached 79.01 million metric tons. With projections indicating a steady increase, it is expected to reach 104.99 million metric tons by 2030. This growth reflects the rising demand and utilization of polypropylene in various industries worldwide.Metallocene polypropylene
One type of polypropylene that has gained popularity in recent years is metallocene polypropylene (mPP) which is a type of polypropylene that uses metallocenes as catalysts to make the plastic strong and flexible. Metallocenes are chemicals that control the structure of the plastic molecules. Compared to traditional polypropylene, mPP has better optical and processing properties, and as such is utilized for a variety of applications. These include the creation of fiber and nonwoven materials, injection molding, as well as film and sheet production. The fiber and nonwoven category is the biggest and fastest-growing product amongst the metallocene polypropylene market, with a market size of 118.05 thousand tons in 2020. This application covers items such as medical masks, personal protective equipment, and cleaning wipes. In 2020, the medical industry used more mPP than any other industry, with a 59 percent share; followed by consumer, industrial, and food packaging.
