Gulbrandsen announced the commercial launch and global introduction of HYPORE®, a portfolio of advanced silica supports and silica-supported chromium catalyst precursors for polyethylene catalyst systems. With this launch, the company expands its capabilities in the polyolefin catalyst value chain beyond its established global presence in metal alkyls. The new portfolio provides polyethylene producers, catalyst manufacturers and process technology companies with an additional commercial source of critical catalyst components. Moreover, HYPORE offers a flexible platform to develop catalyst materials tailored to specific production processes and reactor requirements.
HYPORE® Expands Polyethylene Catalyst Solutions
Gulbrandsen developed HYPORE through a multi-year research, product development and commercialisation programme. The company advanced the technology from laboratory research and pilot production to commercial-scale manufacturing and customer qualification. Instead of offering a single standardised silica product, Gulbrandsen has established a flexible platform that allows customers to tailor the physical and chemical properties of silica supports and catalyst precursors. These adjustments help meet the specific requirements of polyethylene catalyst formulations, processing conditions and reactor systems.
Commercial Grades Available for Customer Qualification
Gulbrandsen has made selected HYPORE chromium catalyst and silica grades available in commercial quantities. In addition, the company is working with customers to develop and qualify customised grades based on their technical requirements. These customised solutions can address parameters such as particle-size distribution, pore structure, surface characteristics and metal-modification profiles. Customer qualification programmes are currently underway for both slurry-phase and gas-phase polyethylene processes.
Supporting Customisation and Scalable Manufacturing
Abhishek C. Kumar, Director, Commercial Development at Gulbrandsen, said, “HYPORE represents a significant expansion of Gulbrandsen’s capabilities within the polyolefin catalyst value chain. We have built the technical, analytical, and manufacturing capabilities needed to develop and produce these materials at commercial scale while retaining the flexibility to work with customers on highly specific catalyst requirements. Our objective is to provide customers with another technically capable, commercially scalable supply option and a development partner that can support both established and customized polyethylene catalyst systems.”
Manufacturing Facility Ensures Product Consistency
Gulbrandsen manufactures HYPORE products at its new greenfield manufacturing facility. The site combines dedicated process development, analytical and quality control capabilities to maintain consistent product properties and minimise batch-to-batch variability. Furthermore, the facility is designed to support reliable commercial-scale supply, helping customers access catalyst components with controlled specifications as their production requirements evolve.
Strengthening Gulbrandsen’s Position in the Polyolefin Catalyst Value Chain
The addition of HYPORE chromium catalysts and silica supports for polyethylene builds on Gulbrandsen’s established position as a global supplier of metal alkyls and other critical materials used in polyolefin catalyst systems. By bringing these capabilities together, the company can now support a broader range of customer requirements across the catalyst value chain. As per the press release, this includes catalyst components, co-catalysts, customised product development and qualification programmes, strengthening its role as a technology and supply partner for the polyethylene industry.
