The Lower Olefins Sector Group (LOSG)

Uses and properties

Lower olefins are petrochemical derivatives produced by cracking feedstocks from raw materials such as natural gas and crude oil. The main olefin products are ethylene, propylene, butadiene and C4 derivatives. These petrochemical derivatives are used to produce plastics, as chemical intermediates, and, in some cases, as industrial solvents.

LOSG represents companies operating petrochemical crackers in Europe. It focuses mainly on technical and health, safety and environment issues relating to lower olefins (up to C5) and their production.

Issues and regulations

Regulations

Ensure that European and international regulations on exposure limits and classification of olefins (ethylene, propylene, butadiene and higher olefins up to C5) are based upon a full evaluation of the scientific evidence, and take into account the relevant cost-benefit and competitiveness considerations.

REACH implementation

In order to comply with the REACh requirements the registration of lower olefins and aromatics substances is handled by the LOA (Lower Olefins and Aromatics) REACh Consortium.

Specific issues

The toxicology group has launched a multi-annual science programme. Most of these studies, dealing with fundamental research, are shared with other Cefic sector groups ( LOSG, Ethylene oxide, Propylene oxide) and with American Chemistry Council (ACC) panels.
Ethylene: Inhalation exposure to determine DNEL and NOEL; study the human kinetic of metabolism into Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide mode of action: as Ethylene metabolite, confirm the hypothesis of threshold mode of action for EO tumors.
Butadiene : evaluate the OEL in relation with epidemiology data
DNA adducts : investigate if there is a the mutagenic effect of ethylene and propylene metabolites, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, which react with DNA to form adducts
The European Ethylene Producers Committee (EEPC) is dealing with health, safety and environmental issues related to manufacturing and handling of ethylene. The committee is composed of two-thirds ethylene producers and one-third engineering companies. It ensures the flow of non-confidential information and expertise concerning the manufacture and handling of ethylene. The committee organised a European information exchange on production safety, aimed at reducing hazards and achieving greater reliability in cracker units.

Contact/Further information

Pierre de Kettenis, Appe Executive Director
Tel. + 32 2 676 7264

Membership

BASF
Borealis Polymers
BP Refining & Petrochemicals
Cepsa
Dow Europe
Evonik Oxeno
ExxonMobil Chemical
Hellenic Petroleum
Ineos
LyondellBasell Industries
OMV
Polimeri Europa
Repsol-YPF Quimica
Sabic Europe
Shell Chemicals
Solvay
Total Petrochemicals
Chairman: David Webb, BP Refining & Petrochemicals.

More information/Related documents

LOA (Lower Olefins and Aromatics) REACH consortium press release.