- The new BDO plant in Rotterdam has an annual capacity of 280 million pounds (126 kt).
- Lyondell's first BDO plant in Channelview, Texas, produces 120 million pounds (55 kt) per year.
- The Rotterdam plant will also produce MPDiol glycol and allyl alcohol.
- Lyondell supplies AA/BDO derivatives like GBL, NMP, THF, and PTMEG in Europe.
New BDO Plant in Rotterdam
Lyondell Chemical Company has commenced production at its new 1,4-butanediol (BDO) manufacturing plant in Botlek, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This facility is the largest BDO manufacturing plant globally, with an annual capacity of 280 million pounds (126 kt).
Production Capabilities
The new plant is Lyondell's second BDO facility, following its first plant in Channelview, Texas, which began operations in 1990 and produces 120 million pounds (55 kt) of BDO annually. The Rotterdam plant enhances Lyondell's ability to serve customers in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Strategic Location and Feedstock
Located at Lyondell's large propylene oxide (PO) complex in Botlek, the new BDO plant utilizes PO from the adjacent facility as its primary feedstock. Its proximity to the Port of Rotterdam provides a strategic platform for global exports.
Additional Products
In addition to BDO, the Rotterdam plant produces MPDiol glycol and allyl alcohol. MPDiol glycol, a co-product of the BDO process, is used in applications such as polyester resins and personal care products. Allyl alcohol is used in producing optical lenses, silane curing agents, and specialty polyols for silicone chemistry.
European Market Supply
Lyondell's allyl alcohol production unit in Rotterdam is the first and only such unit in Europe. The company also supplies AA/BDO derivative products in Europe, including gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and polytetramethylene glycol (PTMEG).
