Phillips Petroleum has joined the linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) market with a new metallocene catalyst system that can be dropped into the company's high-density polyethylene (HDPE) slurry loop production units. The system yields clear, strong plastic films. The company held a test run producing several million pounds of LLDPE at its Houston Chemical Complex in December 1996, according to Don G. Brady, polyethylene manager for Phillips Chemical Co., a division of Phillips Petroleum. He expects to produce 20 million lb in four runs in 1997. Speaking at a press conference, Brady claimed Phillips' slurry-made LLDPE is similar to—but easier to process than—competitors' gas-phase metallocene LLDPE. And an HDPE slurry loop unit can be switched to LLDPE production in a matter of hours, then back to HDPE when needed. This is a significant breakthrough, says Patrick W. Duke, vice president for polymers at Houston-based petrochemical consulting firm DeWitt. It would give some flexibility for producer...