ポリエチレン重合

世界で最も生産されるプラスチック

Petrochemical & Refining Global Industrial Scale $140 billion

概要

Polyethylene (PE) is the most produced plastic globally, manufactured through the catalytic polymerization of ethylene. Three major grades are produced: HDPE (Ziegler-Natta or chromium catalysts), LDPE (free-radical high-pressure process), and LLDPE (gas-phase or solution process with metallocene catalysts). Applications range from packaging films and bottles to pipes and automotive parts. The development of PE catalysts by Ziegler and Natta, who won the 1963 Nobel Prize, transformed materials science.

化学プロセス

For HDPE: ethylene is polymerized at 80-150 degrees C and 10-80 bar using Ziegler-Natta (TiCl₄/MgCl₂ + AlEt₃) or Phillips (CrO₃/SiO₂) catalysts in gas-phase fluidized bed or slurry reactors. For LDPE: ethylene is polymerized at 150-300 degrees C and 1000-3000 bar using peroxide initiators.

nCH₂=CH₂ →[catalyst] −(CH₂−CH₂)ₙ− (addition polymerization, ΔH = −93.6 kJ/mol)

原材料

  • Ethylene (C₂H₄) — Steam cracking (Monomer)
  • 1-Hexene or 1-butene — Oligomerization of ethylene (Comonomer (for LLDPE))
  • Ziegler-Natta catalyst (TiCl₄/MgCl₂) — Chemical synthesis (Polymerization catalyst)

最終製品

  • Polyethylene resin (pellets) — Films, bottles, pipes, containers (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE grades)
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Environmental Impact

Polyethylene production consumes significant energy and fossil feedstocks. PE waste is a major contributor to plastic pollution in oceans and landfills. Only about 30% of PE is recycled globally. Microplastic formation from PE degradation is an emerging environmental concern.

安全性の考慮事項

最新のイノベーション

Chemical recycling via pyrolysis converts PE waste back to monomers.
Bio-based polyethylene from sugarcane ethanol (Braskem I'm green PE) provides a renewable alternative.
Single-site metallocene catalysts enable precise control of molecular architecture.

生産規模

110000000

トン/年

$140 billion

市場価値

もっと見る Petrochemical & Refining

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses ポリエチレン重合?
ポリエチレン重合 is used in the petrochemical & refining sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in ポリエチレン重合?
For HDPE: ethylene is polymerized at 80-150 degrees C and 10-80 bar using Ziegler-Natta (TiCl₄/MgCl₂ + AlEt₃) or Phillips (CrO₃/SiO₂) catalysts in gas-phase fluidized bed or slurry reactors. For LDPE: ethylene is polymerized at 150-300 degrees C and 1000-3000 bar using peroxide initiators.
What is the economic significance of ポリエチレン重合?
ポリエチレン重合 has a market value of $140 billion and annual production of 110,000,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of ポリエチレン重合?
Polyethylene production consumes significant energy and fossil feedstocks. PE waste is a major contributor to plastic pollution in oceans and landfills. Only about 30% of PE is recycled globally. Microplastic formation from PE degradation is an emerging environmental concern.
What raw materials are used in ポリエチレン重合?
The main raw materials include: Ethylene (C₂H₄), 1-Hexene or 1-butene, Ziegler-Natta catalyst (TiCl₄/MgCl₂).