(Plastics Today) -- With the start of its new ethylene cracker in Qatar complete, plastics supplier Total Petrochemicals has added butene linear low-density polyethylene (C4-LLDPE) to its portfolio and now offers the resin to Europe. The material could cause some problems for competitors, most of who rely on oil for feedstocks. Total derives its ethylene from less expensive natural gas.
The new material, produced on the recently inaugurated 450,000-tonne/yr Qatofin production line in Qatar, consists of grades with various additive packages of antioxidants, slip agents, and anti-blocking agents.
Qatofin is Total's joint venture with QAPCO (Qatar Petrochemical Co.). Total intends to stock the C4-LLDPE at its European logistic hubs. "That will allow guaranteeing our customers a continuous and consistent logistic service quality as with any other European product supplied by Total Petrochemicals," says Barbara Mandard, marketing manager Europe for film and fibers applications.