Honeywell UOP to licence TPC’s OXO-D

TPC Group and Honeywell International's subsidiary UOP have signed an agreement for UOP to act as the exclusive licensor of TCP's OXO-D technology, which is used to produce on-purpose butadiene, an ingredient in rubber production.

 

OXO-D technology is used in direct conversion of butene, a byproduct of refining processes, to butadiene. UOP will use the technology to meet a shortage of butadiene.

 

TPC said that its on-purpose butadiene project currently under development is based on the OXO-D technology.

 

TPC Group operations and technology senior vice-president Mike White said: "We believe our OXO-D technology is the most efficient, competitive and commercially proven technology in the world for the on-purpose production of butadiene.

 

"We look forward to working jointly with UOP to continue to advance our leading on-purpose butadiene technology through UOP's depth of knowledge and experience as a licensor within our industry."

 

Traditionally, butadiene is produced as a by-product during naphtha cracking processes. However, refiners are now using lighter feedstocks to produce ethylene and propylene, which are key building blocks for plastics.

 

UOP process technology and equipment business unit senior vice-president and general manager Pete Piotrowski said: "Changes in refining and petrochemical production in recent years have caused butadiene production to not keep pace with rising demand.

 

"This 'butadiene gap' can be closed with new technologies to produce on-purpose butadiene.

 

"TPC helped found the modern on-purpose butadiene industry with its patented technology and we look forward to commercialising new technology with them."

 

TPC Group is one of North America's leading producers of value-added products derived from petrochemical raw materials, such as C4 hydrocarbons.

 

The company operates manufacturing facilities near the Houston Ship Channel, Port Neches and Baytown, Texas, as well as a butadiene product terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

 

UOP is part of Honeywell's performance materials and technologies unit and engages in developing and licensing process technology for the refining and petrochemical industries.