Business and Technology of the Global Polyethylene Industry: An In-depth Look at the History, Technology, Catalysts, and Modern Commercial Manufacture of Polyethylene and Its Products

Preface

This book, Business and Technology of the Global Polyethylene Industry, is an in-depth look at the history, technology, catalysts, and modern commercial manufacture of polyethylene and its products.

Primary emphasis has been placed on documenting the history of the important technical developments over the past 80 years, and the scientists and engineers responsible for them, that have led to continued growth in the polyethylene industry—from the manufacture of a few hundred tons of polyethylene in 1940 to the manufacture of over 160 billion pounds of polyethylene in 2012.

The book is dedicated to the thousands of scientists and engineers that have been involved in research, development, manufacturing and fabrication of polyethylene since its discovery in 1933. The role of these industrial scientists was to translate scientific results into practical innovations for commercial purposes which have greatly contributed to an improvement in the standard of living of people around the globe.

Each of the seven chapters is written to appeal to a wide range of individuals that are involved in the polyethylene industry today.

Chapter 1 is an overview of the polyethylene business, written as an executive summary, which may appeal to anyone interested in understanding the status of the global polyethylene industry today and the factors that may lead to the continued growth of the industry over the next half-century.

Chapters 2, 3 and 4 discuss each of the three catalyst types used ...