Evonik has invested a double-digit million euro sum to increase production capacity for isobutene derivatives at its Marl location. The isobutene part of the C4 production network produces the petrochemical specialties Tertiary Butanol (TBA), Di-isobutene (DiB) and 3,5,5-Trimethylhexanal (TMH). The expansion, which was recently completed, increases capacity for isobutene derivatives by more than 50 %. In addition, the expansion improves security of supply, flexibility and product quality for the customers.
Evonik’s isobutene specialties are already in high demand as intermediates for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. “As a leading European key supplier of high-purity isobutene derivatives, we willingly rise to the challenge of supporting our customers’ dynamic growth and continuing to invest in product quality and security of supply,” says Dr. Hinnerk Gordon Becker, head of the Specialties market segment at Evonik Performance Intermediates. “That’s why, in June 2020, we already began the targeted expansion of our C4 Verbund and to eliminate existing bottlenecks in production and logistics. In this way, we are further expanding our position in the field of high-purity isobutene derivatives and also living up to our leadership role,” Becker continues.
The conversion work has increased the purity of the 3,5,5-Trimethylhexanal produced in Marl from around 88 % to more than 95 %. Customers will benefit from this: In future, they will be able to use the isobutene derivative directly in their own production process without having to purify it first. Along with the capacity expansion, the business line is also optimising logistics to meet customer needs even better.
