Poylpropylene and High-Density Polyethylene

Poylpropylene and High-Density Polyethylene

Phillips Petroleum Company and Plastics

In the early days of polymer chemistry, Phillips Petroleum Company was a pioneer despite having little experience in plastics. Engaging in innovative pursuits and investing in research, the company was on the cusp of a significant breakthrough.

In an effort to explore new applications for natural gas liquids, research director George Oberfell successfully advocated for the establishment of a hydrocarbon research laboratory. By acquiring large amounts of natural gas resources, Phillips began looking into the potential of converting propylene and ethylene into useful products.

Hogan and Banks, pivotal in these investigations, focused on the catalytic processes necessary for refining these gases. A turning point occurred when they expanded their catalyst formulation, resulting in unexpected outcomes. The introduction of chromium oxide transformed their experiments, leading to the creation of crystalline polypropylene, a groundbreaking polymer.

With this momentum, Phillips shifted its focus towards plastics, leading to the development of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recognized for its superior properties compared to existing alternatives. This marked the company's entry into the polyolefin plastics market, promoting a range of products including both polypropylens and polyethylenes.

Under strong management support, the transition from laboratory discovery to mass production unfolded quickly—demonstrating Phillips' remarkable adaptability in the new industry. Today, chromium catalysts remain fundamental in HDPE production, yielding numerous resin grades manufactured worldwide via various processes.

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Not all plastic ends up in the ocean’s garbage patches. Research shows that HDPE plastics (High-Density Polyethylene) are mostly found during ocean cleanup efforts, along with a smaller portion of LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) and PP (Polypropylene). These plastics remain buoyant, which allows them to persist in marine environments for extended periods.

Common HDPE products found in the ocean include:

• Fishing equipment, ghost nets
• Bottle caps
• Toothbrushes
• Detergent bottles
• Shampoo and conditioner bottles
• Some beverage bottles
• Crates
• Bucket fragments
• Toys

Other types of plastic tend to wash ashore or sink near coastal areas, such as:

• Plastic bags
• Cigarette filters
• PET bottles (note: the cap does float)
• Styrofoam containers
• Straws
• Plastic-based textiles

Our goal is to prevent plastics from reaching beaches or sinking further into oceans. Utilizing Interceptor solutions, we aim to combat the legacy plastic already affecting marine ecosystems.

Learn more about how plastic becomes ocean debris on our Ocean Plastic Explained page.

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