Linde Engineering is set to build a new Alpha-SABLIN plant for the production of linear alpha olefins (LAO) in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, the company said on Tuesday.

Upon completion, the plant will be operated by Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNH), a Russian petrochemical producer.

NKNH awarded Linde contracts for license, basic/detail engineering and supply of equipment and materials for revamping of NKNH’s existing LAO plant. Terms were not disclosed.

The plant is expected to come on-stream by mid of 2014, supplying NKNH with 37,000 tpy of linear alpha olefins with maximized production of C4 and C6 fractions.

The revamp project will partially make use of the existing equipment of NKNH’s former LAO plant with implementation of Alpha-SABLIN technology, Linde officials said.

Alpha-SABLIN is a flexible full range process for the production of linear alpha olefins by selective catalytic oligomerization of polymer-grade ethylene, jointly developed and owned by Linde Engineering and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC).

“The project is a major breakthrough for Alpha-SABLIN and will strengthen our growing position in the market segment for linear alpha olefins”, said Florian Penner, LAO product manager at Linde Engineering.

“It proves the excellent reputation of this new technology derived in a relatively short period after full commercialization in 2009”.