Global
Petrochemicals
BASF and Linde signed cooperation agreement on sublicensing BASF’s technology for high purity isobutylene (HPIB)
Demand for high-purity isobutylene makes it one of the fastest growing chemical intermediate markets worldwide. It is used in a wide variety of high-value applications such as butyl rubber, polyisobutylene (PIB) and (poly) methyl methacrylate (PMMA).
With the signature of a comprehensive cooperation agreement between BASF and Linde in 2019, Linde is now offering licensing and engineering and/or bundled services for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for BASF’s superior technology enabling the production of HPIB from refinery and steam cracker C4 streams.
Not only does this technology represent a step change in process economics compared with other HPIB production routes, it also offers the following technical benefits:
- High selectivity and product quality
- No formation of azeotrope, vastly simplifying the separation process and reducing the energy demand
- Wide range of capacities (from 25 kt/a to more than 150 kt/a) proven commercially
- No specialized equipment required
With this HPIB production method, which was previously largely captive, licensees can now profit from the experience gained by BASF through decades of commercial operation across numerous plants coupled with a process of continuous improvement. The HPIB process can be easily integrated into the C4 value chain of both steam crackers and refineries.