The unit will be located at Shell’s chemical plant in Singapore’s petrochemical hub on Jurong Island. It will manufacture sufficient volumes of DPC1 via a proprietary process2, to supply selected customers in the polycarbonate industry for their evaluation and acceptance.

Ben van Beurden, Executive Vice President, Shell Chemicals, said: “This investment decision is an important step towards commercialising DPC as a new product for Shell Chemicals. The polycarbonate industry has enjoyed good demand growth3 and Shell’s advantaged route to polycarbonate production can provide the platform for us to become a major supplier of feedstock to the industry.”

“Shell already supplies phenol and acetone to the polycarbonate sector. DPC produced via a phosgene-free route has the potential to become a significant intermediate and fits well with our strategy, portfolio and customer base,” van Beurden added.

Shell has filed a number of patents for its DPC process. It has also developed innovative transport solutions4 beyond the current industry supply model to be able to supply DPC to customers wherever they choose to invest in polycarbonate. Shell is already working closely with partners in the polycarbonate industry to discuss their needs.

For further information, please contact:

Shell Chemicals

Mr Yam-Chew Oh
External Communications Adviser – Industry
Tel: +44 20 7934 2253 / +44 7837 955 995
Email: yam-chew.oh@shell.com

Notes to editors

1. DPC is a key intermediate in the production of polycarbonate – a versatile and growing engineering plastic used in a wide variety of applications, from optical media, household items, automotive components to electronics and sheeting/film.

2. Shell’s route to DPC is phosgene-free and is expected to have significant advantages in terms of cost, safety, efficiency and CO2 footprint. The process, piloted at Shell’s network of research centres around the world, comprises a number of innovative approaches in design and catalysis. Historically, most polycarbonate production used phosgene – a highly hazardous material that requires stringent safety procedures – via a complex process with critical manufacturing issues, such as waste disposal, environmental drawbacks, capital and energy intensity. In recent years, DPC has replaced phosgene and now almost all polycarbonate investments require DPC as feedstock.

3. Global demand for polycarbonate in 2011 is around 3.6 million tonnes – larger than the market for nylon – and is growing at 4-5% per year. (Source: CMAI)

4. In Shell’s newly-patented supply chain, DPC is blended with acetone to allow for liquid shipping, thereby providing customers with both raw materials.

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this release “Shell”, “Shell group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this release refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as “associated companies” or “associates” and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as “jointly controlled entities”. In this release, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as “equity-accounted investments”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect (for example, through our 24% shareholding in Woodside Petroleum Ltd.) ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

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