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Propylene oxide product overview
Flexible foams in furniture and car seats, artificial sports tracks, waterproof leisure wear, de-icers and bowling balls are some of the many ultimate applications of propylene oxide.
What is propylene oxide?
CAS number: 75-56-9
Chemical formula: C3H6O
Propylene oxide is a colourless, reactive liquid with an ether-like odour.
It is used primarily as a building block for the manufacture of a versatile range of derivative products. There are a number of known technologies to produce propylene oxide but Shell chemicals companies and their joint ventures employ the Shell proprietary 'SM/PO' technology.
How is propylene oxide used?
Propylene oxide is used as a chemical building block in a range of products. Examples of these so-called PO-derivative products are:
- polyether polyols (poly-alcohols) for use in urethane applications such as rigid foam, flexible foam, and Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomer (CASE) systems;
- polyether polyols for use in non-urethane applications such as surfactants and oil demulsifiers;
- propylene glycol for aeroplane de-icers, fibreglass-reinforced unsaturated polyester resins, and hydraulic fluids;
- propylene oxide glycol ethers and propylene carbonate solvents;
butanediol for engineering plastics and fibres; - polyalkylene glycol fuel additives and lubricants;
- modified starches and allyl alcohols.
What are our key strengths in the propylene oxide sector?
- Integrated and reliable global manufacturing and supply network.
- High quality standards.
- Strong propylene oxide technology.
- Long-term commitment to the sector, having entered the market in 1957.
