KBR, Inc. (Houston; www.kbr.com) has signed an agreement with Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; Tokyo, Japan; www.sdk.co.jp) to license acetyls technologies globally.
The demand for acetic acid products derived including plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate; PET), paints, adhesives, coatings, textiles and safety glass sheet for automotive, photographic film, synthetic fibers, architectural applications and household food applications caused an increase in the global acetyls chemicals demand during the past few years. The market is anticipated to continue to grow, according to the May 2014 Reuters article, “Research and Markets: Global Acetic Acid Market & Its Derivatives Market 2013-2018: Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM), Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), Acetic Anhydride, & Ester Solvents – Ethyl Acetate & Butyl Acetate.”
This agreement will allow KBR to exclusively license Showa Denko’s acetyls technologies, including glacial acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, ethyl acetate n-propyl acetate and allyl alcohol process for epichlorohydrin technology to clients. Additionally, KBR will provide engineering support to deliver the license packages to clients.
Showa Denko’s acetic acid technology, which employs the oxidation of ethylene, is considered a complement to KBR’s recently announced alliance agreement with Chiyoda for CT-Acetica process using methanol and carbon monoxide or “methanol carbonylation.” This agreement expands KBR’s acetic acid-related technology offering, enabling KBR to supply clients with integrated acetyls technology chain processes.
“This alliance is great opportunity for KBR to expand our chemicals technology portfolio,” says Stuart Bradie, KBR President and CEO. “This will give KBR the ability to provide our potential clients a full complement of acetyls technology from acetic acid onwards.”
Revenue from this alliance will be booked as awarded to KBR’s Technology and Consulting business segment.