Saudi Aramco signs licensing agreement with Sumitomo Chemical

Saudi Aramco Technologies and Sumitomo Chemical have entered into a technology partnership with Axens to support Axens' AlphaButol licensed process to increase 1-butene production through the use of AFA (Anti-Fouling Agent) technology
.

The AFA technology, jointly developed by Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical, works in conjunction with Axens' catalyst system to dramatically reduce unwanted polymer fouling in 1-butene units
.
Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical have awarded Axens to sublicense this beneficial technology to existing and potential licensees of AlphaButol
.

Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company, an affiliate of Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical and a licensee of AlphaButol, is the first beneficiary of the technology
.
In its 1-butene production unit, the AFA technology is effective over a wide industry-relevant operating window and duration
.
“AFA has made a real breakthrough in the profitability of unit operation by increasing productivity and reducing maintenance costs due to lower fouling levels.
The removability of
fouling has also been improved and the method of cleaning the unit has been greatly simplified, resulting in shorter maintenance cycle
,” said Mohammed A.
Basaffar, Chief, Polymers Section, Process Engineering Division, Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company
.

"We are very pleased that Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical have selected Axens as a partner and we look forward to contributing to the success of AFA technology with our expertise in this area
.
We are excited to help achieve this milestone, which is coming for years to come A stepping stone for further commercialization of AlphaButol technology
.
" Jean Sentenac, Chairman and CEO of Axens