Shell Chemicals UK (Wrexham Road, GB-Chester CH90A) has begun construction at Carrington on what is to be the world's first commercial plant for aliphatic polyketone polymers. The new 20,000 t/y unit ushers in a new stage in the development of the polymers marketed under the trade name "Carilon". Until full production scale is reached – Shell estimates that this will be in the second half of 1996 – sample product will be marketed in Europe, North America and Japan.

"Carilon" polymers are semi-crystalline engineering plastics which Shell says have a "perfectly alternating olefin-carbon monoxide structure." The multinational chemical group recommends its newest thermoplastic development – a result of catalyst research at its Amsterdam laboratories – in particular for technical applications in the automobile, electrical and electronics, industrial and consumer appliances sectors. Two basic injection moulding grades are available, including an unfilled grade and a 30% glass-filled grade.

READER SERVICE: Shell news release and technical data sheet on Carilon polymers (German/English): PIE-No. 37350.