- Investment volume was EUR 64 mn, with EUR 2.8 mn subsidized by Germany's Federal Ministry of the Environment.
- Construction started in summer 2019 and production began at the end of 2020.
- The plant produces high-purity isobutene with a capacity of 60,000 t/a.
- The process saves 20,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Introduction
OMV's new ISO C4 plant at Burghausen, developed in collaboration with BASF, has started producing high-purity isobutene. This marks a significant milestone in their partnership, utilizing a novel technology jointly developed by the two companies.
Energy Efficiency
The plant boasts exceptional energy efficiency, saving 20,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. Up to 80% of the heating energy required is met by thermal discharge from an existing facility, thanks to a heat integration approach.
Production Details
The plant produces isobutene with up to 99.9% purity, using a process developed by BASF and OMV, for which a worldwide patent application has been filed. The new unit is integrated into OMV’s existing metathesis plant at Burghausen.
Applications and Capacity
The isobutene produced complements OMV’s product portfolio and is used in manufacturing glues, grease, antioxidants, and vitamin C. The plant has a production capacity of 60,000 t/a.
Investment and Support
The project had an investment volume of EUR 64 million, with EUR 2.8 million subsidized by Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Environment for its superior energy efficiency and CO2 reduction. Construction began in summer 2019, and despite the coronavirus pandemic, the project was completed successfully with a customized hygiene and safety concept.
