Innovation & Technology

The future with ALPHA technology

Alpha is a two-stage, high-yield patented process route to MMA that liberates the industry from its traditional dependence on Acetone, Hydrocyanic acid and Isobutylene. Developed and piloted over a 12-year period, the Company's first world-scale Alpha plant in Singapore was commissioned in 2008 and is now fully operational. It has a capacity of 120kte per annum.

ALPHA benefits:

• Cost advantage of around 40% over conventional MMA technology
• Option to scale in excess of 200kte with excellent economy potential
• Readily available raw materials (Ethylene, Methanol, Carbon Monoxide)
• Lower capital investment and variable costs
• Low environmental impact
• Revolutionary technology advantages make it the choice for new build capacity.

Lucite International identified the need for a new route to MMA to achieve a step change in the global economics of the acrylics industry. While Alpha 1 in Singapore is already demonstrating the commercial viability of the new technology, Alpha 2 will prove its full economic and scale benefits.

Alpha technology development work continues with work underway on new catalysts and support process technology that will further enhance the economics and capital efficiency.