Expansion Oxeno

At its large site in Antwerp, Belgium, Evonik Industries built a new production facility for manufacturing isobutene by splitting MTBE. This facility, with a capacity of 110,000 tons per annum, was taken into operation in the fourth quarter of 2010. The investment, in the high two-digit-million-euro range, will triple Evonik’s isobutene capacity and will solidify the company’s position as one of Europe’s leading providers.

Isobutene is used in the production of rubber for the tire industry and for plastics, antioxidants and fine chemicals. Additionally, isobutene is the source material for polyisobutene, which is a precursor material for lubricant and fuel additives as well as adhesives and sealants.