Polypropylene: 44 Years Young! The Challenge for the 21st Century

Polypropylene is one of the most versatile and successful materials in the market because of the ever-increasing spectrum of polymer composition and properties which have originated from continuing breakthroughs in catalyst and process technology. Industrial polypropylene production is based on Ziegler-Natta supported catalysts. The success of MgCl₂-supported catalysts is also due to the development of spherical catalysts with controlled particle size and porosity, used in bulk liquid monomer and gas-phase processes for production of a broad range of homo- and copolymers and multiphase polymer alloys via “Reactor Granule” technology. The most recent development is the discovery of MgCl₂/TiCl₄/diether catalysts which can give PP yields twice as high as those obtained with previous catalysts. The achievement of a better control of the polymer structure has resulted in an increased capability to tailor the products according to the performance requirements, both in the conversion technologies and in the application life cycle, as well as to extend their application to new market areas.