Idemitsu Kosan to commercialize new PAO technology

Idemitsu Kosan will decide in the second half of next year on an investment in a new polyalpha olefins (PAO) plant, which will be based on a newly developed technology using metallocene catalysts. The plant is likely to be located at Chiba, Japan, where Idemitsu makes alpha olefins. Idemitsu’s PAO plant is likely to be designed for 200,000-300,000 metric tons per year and is expected to begin production of both high- and low-viscosity PAO in the first half of 2013. ( November 18, 2009)