BASF PETRONAS Chemicals (www.basf-petronas.com.my) has successfully concluded the startup of a new plant for the production of highly reactive polyisobutene (HR-PIB) with a total capacity of 50,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr), at its integrated site in Gebeng, Kuantan, Malaysia.
“We are happy that the first on-spec product has been successfully manufactured and dispatched to our customers. Our plant is the first of its kind in South East Asia and meets local market needs, supported by strong raw material backward integration,” said Dr Sven Crone, Managing Director of BASF PETRONAS Chemicals.
HR-PIB is an important intermediate product for the manufacturing of high performance fuel and lubricant additives, including additives for sludge prevention. It is also used in other industrial applications.