Ineos Oxide, a branch of international chemical company Ineos, plans to construct new units to produce an array of oxo chemical derivatives, the company said early last week. A location has not yet been determined.
This decision comes as a result of the companys acquisition of Arkemas 50 percent share of Oxochimie in March. Oxochimie, previously a joint venture between the two companies, produces butanols, 2-ethyl hexanol and oxo aldehydes.
[Ineos Oxide] has been able to ingrate the JV plant fully into Ineos, Group Communications Manager Richard Longden said in an interview. Constructing additional units was the next logical step for the development of this business, he added.
The London, England-headquartered company plans to conduct an engineering study into the production of oxo chemical derivatives, including 2-ethyl hexanoic acid and polyalcohols, such as trimethylolpropane and neopentyl glycol.
Trimethylolpropane is a polyalcohol commonly used in solvent-free coatings and in the production of synthetic lubricants, polyurethanes and alkyd resins. Neopentyl glycol is a building block in the creation of synthetic lubricants, and 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, a chain intermediate, can be found in a wide variety of applications, including synthetic lubricants.
[Ineos Oxides] oxoalcohol products are mainly used in the manufacturing of plasticizers, lubricants and fuel additives, and the paints and coatings industry, said Longden. He noted the company hopes this investment will assist expansion both in European and export markets.
Though a final decision on a location for the units has not been made, Ineos Oxide is considering its sites in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, and Dormagen, Germany, or co-location with the existing Oxochimie oxo alcohol plant in Laverna, France.