German chemicals company Evonik said Friday it will be expanding output of C4-based products, including butadiene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and 1-butene, at its Antwerp, Belgium and Marl, Germany, sites.
Butadiene production in Antwerp will be increased by 100,000 mt/year, while 1-butene capacity at Marl will be raised by 75,000 mt/year. The combined MTBE production at both sites will be expanded by 150,000 mt/year.
The expanded capacity, aimed at meeting increasing demand, is expected to be on stream by 2015, Evonik said, adding investments in this project would run into hundreds of millions of euros.
Evonik said the 1-butene output expansion, once completed, would make it the world's largest supplier.
Butadiene is used in the production of synthetic rubber, which is mainly used in the tire industry. 1-butene is used as a co-monomer in the production of polyethylene and other polymers. MTBE, a fuel component, raises the octane level of gasoline and improves fuel combustion.
