Dr. Robert L. Banks

Dr. Robert L. Banks

Phillips Research Center

Inducted 2014

In the 18th Century, the great analytical chemist Joseph Black remarked: “Upon the whole, Chemistry is as yet but an opening science, closely connected with the useful and ornamental arts, and worthy the attention of the liberal mind. And it must always become more and more so: though it is only of late that it has been looked upon in that light, the great progress already made in Chemical knowledge gives us a pleasant prospect of rich additions. Science is now studied on solid and rational grounds. While our knowledge is imperfect, it is apt to run into an error: but Experiment is the thread that will lead us out of the labyrinth.”

On June 5, 1951, Drs. Banks (1921 – 1989) and Hogan were amid such a labyrinth. They attempted to increase gasoline’s octane through dimerization and trimerization of olefins. They had added Chromium to their nickel catalyst to increase the catalyst’s life. They were most surprised to see that in addition to the usual products, they now had a solid powder that, in essence, was a crystalline aliphatic hydrocarbon called polypropylene.

This Experiment led to the development of the Philips Cr/silica catalyst, one of the most common production methods for High-Density Polyethylene. Together, the plastics were marketed under the brand name Marlex®, which has since made its way into every corner of American life. Banks and Hogan began working together in 1946. This new catalyst also allowed for low-pressure production of Polyethylene, which until that time had required significant pressures to produce.

Their discoveries launched a multi-billion dollar industry. Today polyolefins include High-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Linear Low-Density Polyethylene, and Polypropylene, among others. They account for the largest percentage of commodity plastics used in the world today. These products continue to be an integral part of our everyday life.

Drs. Banks and Hogan would become world-renowned for their work, and the Phillips Research Center where these discoveries took place would be designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark.

With over 120 US and 140 foreign patents in 26 Countries and over 40 technical publications spanning 30 years, their prolific research and development results are only surpassed by the commercial impact of their findings.

Among their long list of honors and awards includes: