Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha-olefins comprising, on the one hand, a prepolymerization stage by contacting one or more alpha-olefins with a Ziegler catalyst system consisting of a solid catalyst containing essentially atoms of halogen, magnesium and transition metal, and a co-catalyst consisting of an organometallic compound, and, on the other hand, a polymerization or copolymerization stage in a gas phase process by means of a fluidized bed, by contacting one or more alpha-olefins with the prepolymer produced in the first stage, process characterized in that the alpha-olefin prepolymer and polymer or copolymer are in the form of a powder consisting of particles having specific values for the transition metal content and the mean diameter by mass, and characterized in that the particle size distribution of the prepolymer is narrow and easily controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha-olefins comprising, on the one hand, a prepolymerization stage by contacting one or more alpha-olefins with a Ziegler catalyst system consisting of a solid catalyst containing essentially atoms of halogen, magnesium and transition metal, and a co-catalyst consisting of an organomatellic compound, and, on the other hand, a polymerization or copolymerization stage in a gas phase process by means of a fluidized bed, by contacting one or more alpha-olefins with the prepolymer produced in the first stage, process characterized in that the alpha-olefin prepolymer and polymer or copolymer are in the form of a powder consisting of particules having specific values for the transition metal content and the mean diameter by mass, and characterized in that the particle size distribution of the prepolymer is narrow and easily controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the start up of polymerization or copolymerization in the gas phase by bringing the said alpha-olefins in contact under polymerization or copolymerization conditions in a fluidized bed and/or with mechanical stirring with a charge powder, in the presence of a catalyst system of the Ziegler-Natta type, this process being characterized in that the charge powder used is previously dehydrated and subjected to a treatment by bringing the said charge powder into contact with an organoaluminum compound for a period of at least five minutes, so that the polymerization or copolymerization starts up immediately after the contracting of the alpha-olefins with the charge powder in the presence of the catalyst system.

Abstract: A process of the Ziegler-Natta type is prepared using a preactivated support containing (A) from 80 to 95 mol % of magnesium chloride and (B) 5 to 20 mol % of at least one electron donor compound which contains no labile hydrogen and no ester function; the preactivated support consisting of spherical particles having a mass average diameter, Dm of 10 to 100 microns and a particle size distribution Dm/Dn of less than 2. The catalyst is prepared by (i) treating the preactivated support with at least one electron donor compound containing labile hydrogen, (ii) treating the resulting activated support with at least one ester of an aromatic acid, (iii) impregnating the treated support with titanium tetrachloride and (iv) after washing the impregnated catalyst activating it with titanium tetrachloride. The catalyst has a high titanium content and a high activity when used to polymerize olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha-olefins comprising, on the one hand, a prepolymerization stage by contacting one or more alpha-olefins with a Ziegler catalyst system consisting of a solid catalyst containing essentially atoms of halogen, magnesium and transition metal, and a co-catalyst consisting of an organomatellic compound, and, on the other hand, a polymerization or copolymerization stage in a gas phase process by means of a fluidized bed, by contacting one or more alpha-olefins with the prepolymer produced in the first stage, process characterized in that the alpha-olefin prepolymer and polymer or copolymer are in the form of a powder consisting of particles having specific values for the transition metal content and the mean diameter by mass, and characterized in that the particle size distribution of the prepolymer is narrow and easily controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts for the polymerization and copolymerization of ethylene, characterized in that they comprise a support based on magnesium chloride and possibly on aluminium chloride, of spheroidal shape, having a mean diameter by mass comprised between 10 and 100 microns and with a narrow particle size distribution, such that the ratio of the mean diameter by mass to the mean diameter by number is less than or equal to 3, on which support there has been precipitated a derivative of a transition metal of groups IV, V and VI of the Periodic Table of Elements, and a polymerization process utilizing the said catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst supports for the polymerization and co-polymerization of alpha-olefins, especially ethylene and propylene, consisting essentially of magnesium chloride, characterized in that these supports occur in the form of spheroidal particles with a mean particle size by mass comprised between 10 and 100 microns and having a narrow particle size distribution, which can be controlled, such that the ratio of the mean diameter by mass to the mean diameter by number of the particles is less than or equal to 3.0, and the process for the preparation of the said supports.

Abstract: A process for producing titanium-trichloride based catalyst comprising reducing titanium tetrachloride in excess with an organo-aluminum compound in the presence of 2 to 5 mols per mol of organo-aluminum of one or more aliphatic ethers having the formula R'--O--R" in which R' and R" are alkyl groups containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms and maturing the formed precipitate at a temperature within the range of 80.degree.-115.degree. C., said catalyst being useful with an organo-metallic co-catalyst in the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in the polymerization of olefins and a process for its manufacture wherein an excess titanium tetrachloride is reduced by an organoaluminum reducing agent, with the ratio of moles of titanium tetrachloride to the number of gram equivalents of the organoaluminum compound being at least 1.8. The catalyst is prepared in the presence of an aliphatic ether to produce titanium trichloride having regularly-shaped granules and improved catalytic properties suitable for use with an organoaluminum co-catalyst in the polymerization of olefins.