Reliance Nagothane Visit

News    ⋅    Reliance Nagothane    ⋅   10 July, 2026

ECI Group recently had the pleasure of visiting Reliance’s polyethylene plant in Nagothane, where our team shared technical expertise and worked closely with Reliance’s Subject Matter Experts and site maintenance teams.

ECI Group’s Director of Consultancy Services, Francisco Larenas, Global Engineering Director, Brian Cornah, and Mechanical Engineering SME, Chris Willy, partnered with the Reliance team to:

• Troubleshoot process and mechanical reliability issues
• Identify opportunities to enhance long-term plant reliability, operational performance, and production efficiency
• Share industry best practices for the operation and maintenance of high-pressure LDPE technology
• Explore future investment opportunities utilizing ECI Group’s portfolio of polyolefin technology licenses

It was fantastic to meet so many members of the Reliance team—particularly Ramakrishna Yellamraju, who has been connected with the facility since its construction more than 30 years ago. His experience and perspective highlights the importance of preserving knowledge and building strong teams across generations.

Thank you to our hosts for their wonderful hospitality, including an enjoyable dinner with Mr. Shashank Goel, President of Reliance Nagothane, and his team. We are proud to support Reliance with their plant improvement objectives and look forward to building on the relationships and technical collaboration established during this visit.

Technology Portfolio

News    ⋅     Technology Portfolio    ⋅     29 June, 2026

ECI Group is proud to announce that we’re continuing to strengthen our position as a global technology licensor and engineering partner through a series of strategic developments that expands our portfolio across the petrochemicals value chain.

These latest initiatives mark an important step forward in the company’s long-term strategy to provide customers with a more comprehensive range of proven, high-performance technologies—supported by integrated engineering, design, and project delivery expertise.

By combining our expertise in engineering and technology development with trusted partners and established processes, ECI Group is building a comprehensive platform to support producers worldwide. With these new partnerships, ECI Group will become a platform solutions provider for Polyolefins and Intermediates, offering industry-leading technologies for the production of:

• Polyolefins: LDPE and copolymers (EVA, EnBA, acids and acrylates), LLDPE, HDPE, UHMWPE, POE, POP and PP
• Intermediates: Propylene Oxide (PO), Styrene Monomer (SM), Flexible and Polymeric Polyols and Glycols
• Recycling: covering municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and mixed plastics to a range of useful feedstocks

All technologies benefit from ECI Group’s holistic offering of technology licensing, engineering, technical services, and digital solutions across the plant lifecycle.

These developments reinforce ECI Group’s commitment to partnering with leading technology organizations to bring established, high-quality solutions to the global market. The result is a stronger, more versatile offering designed to help producers accelerate project timelines, optimize operations, and capture long-term value.

Stayed tuned for more information about these developments in the coming weeks.

International Women in Engineering Day

News    ⋅     INWED    ⋅     23 June, 2026

International Women in Engineering Day is a moment to recognise the achievements, innovation, and impact of women across our industry. At ECI Group, we’re proud to celebrate the talented women shaping the future of engineering—leading projects, driving sustainable solutions, and breaking down barriers.

To mark the occasion, we spoke with several of our colleagues about their careers, proudest achievements, and what more can be done to encourage women into engineering.

Q: What project or achievement are you most proud of, and why?

Anu: I was trusted to lead a project with many senior people in my team, early in my career which was a defining milestone. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, sharpened my technical skills, and built deep confidence in me. 

Q: What skills have been most important to your success?

Anu: Technical knowledge is a vital aspect for success; however, I believe, resilience plays a great role as well. I am always open to new challenges and all kinds of projects; ready to improve my knowledge base.

Q: How do you feel the engineering industry is changing for women—and where is there still room for improvement?

Anu: Engineering industry is becoming more and more open for women now. But there is still a mindset that engineering is not a women’s field. Industry needs to provide more opportunities to women on sites, in fields and break these barriers. It’s time to bridge the gap between classroom representation and on-site reality.

Q: What advice would you give to young women or girls considering a career in engineering?

Anu: If you have interest and passion for design, if you are curious about how machines work, how automation happens, please do join engineering. The career paths are vast, so choose the branch that aligns with your passions and build your own future.

Q: What first sparked your interest in engineering, and what led you to pursue it as a career? 

Tani: I think it’s genetic. My father was a chemical engineer who eventually became a plant manager and a project manager, and three of my uncles worked in engineering and plant operation. I remember being fascinated by the stick model of a plant my dad built when I was a little kid.

Q: What skills have been most important to your success?

Tani: Being a project engineer requires the ability to look at the big picture as well as understanding the details and organization required to execute the work as a team. This is something I’ve been consistently told I do well.

Q: How do you feel the engineering industry is changing for women—and where is there still room for improvement?

Tani: I spent most of my early career having to prove myself, between being a woman and having a non-traditional engineering degree. For a long time, I felt like I hadn’t been utilized to my full potential, until I was trusted to run a project for the first time as the Project Manager and got a great performance review. Thankfully there is more acceptance of women in engineering roles now than when I was a young graduate.

Q: What advice would you give to young women or girls considering a career in engineering?

Tani: Engineering can be a very satisfying career if you like to problem solve. Take as many maths, physics, and chemistry courses as you can in high-school or during your degree.

Q: What first sparked your interest in engineering, and what led you to pursue it as a career? 

Shalini: I’ve always been drawn to solving problems and understanding how things work but what kept me in engineering was the ability to create solutions that make a real impact. I have been fortunate to work across a variety of industries ranging from petrochemical, nuclear and renewables solving genuine problems and learning new skills. For me, engineering is where curiosity meets purpose and where ideas turn into impact.

Q: What skills have been most important to your success?

Shalini: Translating complex technical ideas into clear, strategic direction has been critical. Equally important are collaboration and communication that align diverse teams to deliver results.

Q: How do you feel the engineering industry is changing for women—and where is there still room for improvement?

Shalini: There has been clear progress, with more women entering the field and taking on leadership roles. However, there is still work to do to improve representation at senior levels and ensure inclusive environments where different perspectives are actively valued and supported.

Q: What advice would you give to young women or girls considering a career in engineering?

Shalini: Stay curious and keep an open mind as engineering offers a wide range of opportunities beyond traditional roles. Don’t wait until you feel fully ready to take on challenges; confidence builds with experience. Most importantly, believe that your perspective can add real value.

This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the women of ECI Group—not only for their achievements, but for the impact they continue to make every day. Their stories highlight the diversity of paths into engineering, the importance of resilience and curiosity, and the opportunity we all have to create a more inclusive future for the industry.

By continuing to support and empower women in engineering, we can ensure that the next generation sees this field not only as an option—but as a place where they can thrive. Find out more about International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) here: https://www.inwed.org.uk/

LDPE PIC 2026

News    ⋅     LDPE PIC 2026    ⋅     18 June, 2026

15^th – 17^th June 2026 | Shanghai

ECI Group was delighted to return as a Platinum Sponsor of the 19th LDPE Plant Improvement Conference, hosted by Uhde High Pressure Technologies in Shanghai.

As a leading event for the high-pressure polyethylene (HPPE) industry, the conference brought together nearly 250 LDPE plant operators, licensors, equipment suppliers, and service providers from around the world. 

Across three days, the programme delivered a strong line-up of technical presentations and workshops, providing a focused platform to exchange operational insights, tackle shared challenges, and present new advancements in high-pressure LDPE and EVA production.

Our key takeaways from this year’s conference:

• The importance of protecting plant assets to maximise longevity and performance
• Cautiously optimistic growth outlook for the HPPE market, and the importance of intentional decision making to position assets for resilience and long-term value
• Sharpened focus on operational efficiency and reliability across high-pressure processes

ECI Group’s Licensing & Commercial Director, Abhi Shivraj, presented “A Future-Proof Plant in an Uncertain World.” His session highlighted the growing importance of flexible LDPE plant design, not only as a competitive advantage but a critical requirement for short-term resilience and long-term success.

Abhi demonstrated how ECI Group’s HPPE technologies enable truly future-ready plants—supporting both greenfield developments and brownfield upgrades—through:

• Greater product versatility
• High-value application capability
• Scalable configurations for both product slate and capacity

Drawing on decades of real-world project experience, his presentation demonstrated how smart technology decisions today can help operators stay competitive and adaptable in a rapidly evolving market.

The presentation was voted runner-up in the Best Supplier Paper awards—a fantastic recognition of the team’s expertise and insight. 

The joint team presentation from Levima, with contributions from DPEC, Uhde, and ECI Group, won Best Team Paper at the conference, showcasing how a collaborative approach directly led to the success of the autoclave reactor expansion project!

A special thank you to Kevin Haldane, ECI Group’s Senior HPPE Piping & Mechanical Subject Matter Expert, who co-authored the paper.

A new addition to this year’s event was a series of sponsor-led workshops, offering a more interactive format for knowledge sharing—ranging from technical deep dives to practical demonstrations.

Chris Brock, Director of HPPE Technology and Vice President of ECI Group, delivered a workshop on: “Extending the Economic Life of LDPE Plants Through Technology-Driven Modernization.”

Many LDPE plants operating today were designed for market conditions very different from today’s competitive and operational realities. Aging assets, rising maintenance costs, tighter safety expectations, and pressure from world-scale facilities continue to challenge the long-term viability of legacy plants. Yet many of these facilities still contain significant unrealized value.

As a licensor of LDPE technology for both new and existing facilities, ECI Group primarily develops and implements modern high-pressure polyethylene technologies for greenfield projects. Many of these same technologies can also be selectively integrated into existing LDPE assets to improve reliability, expand product capability, increase production, and strengthen process safety performance.

The workshop examined practical approaches to modernization, including:

• Debottlenecking strategies to unlock additional capacity
• Reactor upgrades for improved performance
• Enabling higher-value copolymer production
• Vent suppression technologies
• Reliability-centered maintain-vs-replace decision frameworks

Through real project examples from both autoclave and tubular reactor plants, the workshop demonstrated how targeted technology upgrades and strategic reinvestment can extend plant life, improve profitability, and enhance operational flexibility—often with significantly lower cost and disruption than building new facilities.

The workshop was well attended, and it was fantastic to see such a strong turnout and level of engagement in the room. We had some really thoughtful questions and discussions throughout. A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the session so interactive and rewarding!

In addition to the technical agenda, the conference provided excellent opportunities to connect with peers and experience Shanghai.

The event opened with a welcome reception at the Hyatt on the Bund, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and its iconic evening light display.

Day 1 concluded with a guided walk along the historic Bund waterfront and day 2 closed with the conference dinner aboard a river cruise on the Huangpu River—providing an opportunity to continue conversations in a relaxed setting.

The 2026 conference once again proved to be a highly valuable forum for sharing expertise and strengthening industry connections.

Next year’s event will mark the 20th edition of the LDPE Plant Improvement Conference—a major milestone for the community. As a long-standing supporter, ECI Group looks forward to continuing our involvement and reconnecting with industry partners in 2027. See you in Reims!

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FAQ: Polyethylene Plant Viability

News    ⋅    FAQ: Polyethylene Plant Viability

ECI Group’s Subject Matter Experts answer frequently asked questions about polyethylene plant viability, focusing on how operators can sustain profitability, competitiveness, and long-term asset value in a changing market.

Technical Workshop Highlights

Ready to extend the life and profitability of your polyethylene plant? Contact ECI Group for a consultation. Explore our polyethylene plant solutions.

techX 2026

News    ⋅     techX 2026  ⋅     9 June, 2026 

ECI Group was proud to present and exhibit at techX 2026, the global UNIPOL® PP Technology Exchange Meeting hosted by W. R. Grace. This annual event brings together licensees, operators, and leading suppliers from across the polyolefin industry to share operational experience, exchange best practices, and explore the innovations shaping the future of polymer production.

Held in Las Vegas, this year’s conference proved to be a valuable platform for collaboration and technical insight—bringing together key voices from across the global polyolefin community.

The ECI Group team engaged with industry peers, partners, and plant operators to discuss how our consultancy services and specialized engineering expertise can help producers unlock greater value from their assets.

Our conversations throughout the event centered on a shared industry focus:

• Improving plant performance and reliability
• Achieving sustainable and cost-effective capacity growth
• Navigating evolving market demands through flexible production strategies

We were pleased to connect with so many organizations looking to optimize operations while balancing profitability, safety, and sustainability objectives.

A key highlight of techX 2026 was ECI Group’s technical presentation, delivered by: Nehal Badal, Project Engineering Technology Manager, and Francisco Larenas, Director of Consultancy Services.

Their session focused on “Specialized Polyolefin Engineering”, offering both strategic insight and real-world application.

Francisco showcased ECI Group’s polyethylene and co-polymers technology offering and options for diversifying polyolefin production portfolios. He spoke about:

• Flexible production strategies to respond to changing demand
• Polyethylene and co-polymers technology options for expanding product portfolios
• Best practices in debottlenecking and capacity expansion
• The role of specialized engineering in improving operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability

These insights reflected a growing need within the industry to do more with existing infrastructure—while maintaining high standards of performance and reliability.

Complementing this strategic perspective, Nehal presented a detailed case study showcasing the tangible impact of ECI Group’s engineering approach.

The project focused on a tubular reactor expansion, where ECI Group supported a client in achieving a >35% increase in plant capacity through targeted debottlenecking and optimization.

By applying specialized high-pressure engineering expertise and a structured approach to plant improvement, the project demonstrated how significant gains can be realized without the need for major capital investment.

As the industry continues to evolve, the themes highlighted at techX 2026—efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability—will remain central to future success.

ECI Group remains committed to supporting polyolefin producers in achieving these goals through:

• Advanced engineering solutions
• Practical, experience-driven consultancy
• Proven methodologies for plant optimization and expansion

We would like to thank W. R. Grace for hosting a successful techX event, and all those who took the time to meet with us during the conference!

Explore our case study on plant debottlenecking and capacity expansion here:
https://ecigrouponline.com/eva-plant-debottlenecking-case-study/

Or get in touch with the ECI Group team to discuss how we can support your operations:
https://ecigrouponline.com/contact/

Project Case Study

News    ⋅     Project Case Study: EVA Plant Debottlenecking

ECI Group helped an EVA producer in China achieve a 35%+ capacity increase by implementing our proprietary Hybrid Autoclave Reactor Extension (HARE™) technology. The project also improved product quality, operational flexibility, and reactor performance—with minimal downtime.

Project Summary

• Process: Autoclave
• Location: China
• Original Capacity: 72 ktpa
• New Capacity: 100 ktpa
• Capacity Increase: >35%
• Technology Used: HARE™ (Hybrid Autoclave Reactor Extension)
• Downtime: 30-day shutdown
• Start-up, Product Qualification and Performance Tests: 1 week

Plant debottlenecking is the process of removing production constraints to increase throughput, efficiency, and product flexibility—without building a new facility.

In high-pressure polyethylene and EVA plants, this often focuses on improving reactor conversion, throughput, and performance while maintaining safety and product quality.

The client approached ECI with a view to increase the production capacity of their autoclave plant originally commissioned in 2016. They specified the following key success parameters:

• Increase conversion to maximize production
• Maintain or enhance product properties and qualities
• Minimize downtime during implementation
• Maintain or improve safety performance
• Improve high-pressure recycle (HPR) unit performance

Following a detailed feasibility study, ECI Group identified that installing a hybrid reactor extension (HARE™) would deliver the best outcome.

Why HARE™?

HARE™ technology enables:

• Increased reactor conversion
• Higher throughput within existing infrastructure
• Improved product consistency
• Enhanced operational flexibility

The HARE™ provides these benefits whilst avoiding the cost and downtime associated with a major plant overhaul.

Key Outcomes

• >35% increase in plant capacity
• Improved EVA product quality and consistency
• Enhanced reactor and process performance
• Minimal disruption to operations
• Fast return on investment

Key Success Factors

• Deep expertise in high-pressure LDPE/EVA technologies
• Early engagement with critical equipment vendors
• Integrated 3D modelling and design coordination
• Strong collaboration between client, EPC, key vendors, and ECI Group

This project highlights how advanced engineering and proprietary technology can unlock significant hidden capacity in existing EVA plants.

By leveraging our proprietary HARE™ technology and a highly coordinated execution strategy, ECI Group enabled a step-change in production performance—without the cost or downtime of building new infrastructure.

Looking to Increase EVA Plant Capacity?

Contact ECI Group’s Consultancy Services team to explore how debottlenecking, reactor upgrades, and high-pressure process optimisation can help you maximise production and profitability.

Connect Space

News    ⋅     Connect Space    ⋅     15 May, 2026 

ECI Group’s Manchester office has been expanded to include a new executive workspace for connecting with our colleagues, clients, and partners. The new boardroom, dubbed the ‘Connect Space’, is fully flexible and configurable, ideal for hosting:

• Executive and leadership meetings
• Training sessions and workshops
• Project task forces and focused working sessions

Located close to Manchester Airport, the Connect Space offers convenient access for colleagues working with clients and suppliers across the UK and around the world.

Outfitted with state-of-the-art communication technology, we can also facilitate remote participation—making it easier for our colleagues, clients, and suppliers to work together efficiently.

Built for collaboration. Designed to deliver.

A fully flexible and re-configurable space ideal for:

2nd US High Pressure Maintenance Workshop

News    ⋅    2nd US High Pressure Maintenance Workshop    ⋅   30 April, 2026

ECI Group was once again delighted to attend and sponsor the second US High Pressure Maintenance Workshop. Organised by Uhde High Pressure Technologies, the conference took place in Houston, Texas between the 29^th and 30^th April 2026.

Equipment suppliers and technology providers from across the high-pressure LDPE industry came together to share valuable case studies on LDPE related topics providing expertise and insights into key industry challenges and innovative solutions.

One of the key themes of our discussions across the event was operators looking to prevent unexpected plant downtime. ECI Group was proud to introduce our Rapid Response Team (RRT): a new service ready to resolve critical plant issues and get production back online fast.

In a market where margins are tight and reliability matters, every hour offline means lost revenue, missed commitments, and operational risk. That’s where ECI Group’s RRT comes in. For an initial scoping and consulting discussion at no cost, contact us today.

On Day 2 of the event, ECI Group’s Mechanical Engineering Subject Matter Expert, Chris Willy gave a presentation about Maintenance & Reliability Improvements for operating polyethylene plants.

Chris’ presentation highlighted the importance of:

• Program definition & implementation
• Program audits & specific issue resolution
• Maintenance, reliability programs, and operations target alignment

 For more information about maintenance & reliability improvements, contact our team of experts to discover how ECI Group can protect your production and improve your profitability.

As well as insightful case studies, the workshop included training modules that covered key areas including, lens ring flange connection assembly, rupture disk training, and injection pump hydraulic system adjustments.

The workshop was a huge success. The training sessions allowed for in-depth discussions and practical applications of the topics presented, and it was great to network with key players from across the LDPE industry.

We’re looking forward to attending more High Pressure Maintenance Workshops in the future!

For more information on ECI Group’s high-pressure capabilities, or the services offered by our Consultancy and Rapid Response Teams, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Rapid Response Team

News    ⋅     Rapid Response Team    ⋅     April 7, 2026

Unplanned downtime is one of the costliest challenges facing polyolefin producers today. In a market where margins are tight and reliability matters, every hour offline represents lost revenue, missed customer commitments, and increased operational risk.

To meet this challenge head‑on, ECI Group is proud to introduce our Rapid Response Team (RRT)—a new service ready to help plants stabilize operations, recover quickly, and return to safe, efficient production.

Across the global polyolefin industry, ECI Group has seen a clear trend emerge—particularly in older production facilities.

Many plants are operating with:

• Incomplete or outdated documentation
• Loss of institutional knowledge due to retirements and workforce changes
• Limited access to experienced technical specialists
• Increasing pressure to improve production, reliability, and margins

When incidents occur, these gaps can slow troubleshooting, complicate decision‑making, and extend downtime far beyond what is acceptable in today’s market.

ECI Group’s Rapid Response Team is designed to address exactly these scenarios.

From the moment we engage, our experts work alongside your team to stabilize operations, rebuild process understanding where needed, and accelerate recovery—often under intense time pressure.

Our RRT capability includes:

• Immediate response to critical plant issues
• Global on‑site mobilization
• Round‑the‑clock remote technical support

This is not a generic troubleshooting service. RRT is delivered by experienced Subject Matter Experts with deep hands‑on operational knowledge, capable of working effectively in complex, time‑critical environments.

While RRT is highly effective during emergency situations, we also help plant operators uncover opportunities for process optimization and reliability improvement—especially in legacy plants.

We help clients:

• Re‑establish process fundamentals
• Identify hidden production constraints
• Improve operating discipline and stability
• Reduce recurrence of chronic issues

Importantly, ECI Group supports a wide range of polyolefin processes and product grades across multiple licensors and technologies.

True rapid response requires trust.

That’s why, in the spirit of partnership, ECI Group may begin critical‑path activities in good faith, allowing recovery efforts to proceed while purchase order details are finalized. This approach minimizes delays, keeps teams aligned, and ensures focus remains on what matters most—restoring production safely and efficiently.

Downtime—whether caused by failures, lost knowledge, or operational complexity—doesn’t have to define your plant’s performance.

If you’re facing moderate to severe operational challenges, or simply want a trusted partner ready when things don’t go to plan, ECI Group’s Rapid Response Team is here to help.

Contact us for an initial scoping and consulting discussion at no cost. 

Visit our RRT page to learn more: https://ecigrouponline.com/rrt/