INEOS Oxide announces a further debottleneck of its Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB) plant in Antwerp, increasing capacity to 35,500 tonnes
INEOS Oxide has confirmed that it is to expand its Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB) plant in Antwerp, increasing capacity by 7,500 tonnes to 35,500mt, 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.
ENDS.
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Richard Longden (INEOS) 0041 21 627 7063 or 0041 7996 26123
Mark Killick (Media Zoo) 020 7384 6980 or 07836 634449
Andrew McLachlan (Media Zoo) 020 7384 6980 or 07931 377162
Joseph Wade (Media Zoo) 020 7384 6980 or 07758 074576