4. Future outlook

The announcement of Eastmans new IntegRex process was made at September 02, 2004. A number on newer and older patent publications like USP-Appl. 20020137877 [6] and USP-Appl. 20040044170 [6] or US-patents 3,250,747 [6] and 3,545,938 [6] are hinting for instance to a melt to resin process. One can assume that Eastman will build a large scale state of the art polycondensation unit of about 1000 - 1200 t/day and introducing all possible process savings and innovations including the interlocking with the PTA-process and the option that one finisher might also be a MTR-process based on existing technology. More important than process technology is seemingly the high production capacity at one production site where PTA is produced which enables the company to reconstruct and concentrate its worldwide production to some core points.

IntegRex = registered trademark

References

1)    http://ep.espacenet.com/search97cgi/s97_cgi.exe?Action= FormGen&Template=ep/EN/home.hts

2)    (http://www.mgpolymers.com/Final%20NovaPack%20Jan2005.pdf )

3)    See D. Giordano - M&G Global R&D VP presentation paper at PETNOLOGY Forum -Berlin June 6th, 2005.)

4)    (see: Polyester Producing Plants, Verl. Modern Industries, 1996, S33/34)

5)    [ http://www.uhde-inventa-fischer.com/pages/global/news.cfm?id=44&db=en ]

     http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html