Ineos (London; www.ineos.com) announced that INEOS Oxide plans to expand its ethylidene norbornene (ENB) plant in Antwerp, increasing capacity by 7,500 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) to 35,500 m.t./yr, with the capacity being available by the end of 2018.
“We are delighted to be able to announce that we will make another debottleneck of our ENB plant to support the growth,” said David Brooks, Business Director, INEOS Oxide. “We already, have what we believe to be, the lowest cost production unit in the world and this expansion will yet further improve our cost base, for this important specialty chemical, whilst providing new ENB tonnes to the market when it needs them”
Brooks adds, “As part of this next expansion phase Oxide will establish strategic stocking locations in N.E Asia and the US to meet customer needs. Also, in order to reinforce our position as the low cost ENB producer a strategic review is underway of options for the long term sourcing of Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), a key feedstock in the production of ENB.”
ENB is used primarily in the production of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM). Because it is extremely wear and weather resistant this high performance rubber is increasingly favoured for use in the automotive, white good and construction industries. Its unique molecular structure means ENB is also used in the high value fragrance industry as a scent carrier.