Energy and petrochemicals group Repsol (Madrid, Spain; www.repsol.com) now wants to put its plans for the production of UHMW-PE in Spain (see Plasteurope.com of 22.10.2020) into practice. The company announced the construction of a corresponding plant at its Spanish site in Puertollano. The new production unit – the first of its kind in Spain – will use DSM technologies and go into operation at the end of 2024 with a capacity of 15,000 t/y, according to Repsol. Investment costs of EUR 105 mn have been planned.

In the first phase, the new plant will produce four UHMW-PE types with all molecular weights and average particle sizes of 150 microns in powder form. The Spanish company cites separators in lithium-ion batteries, profiles for construction, coatings, military and protective equipment, and prostheses, implants, and other medical applications as possible areas of use.