- OMV is investing EUR 64 mn in an ISO C4 plant at Burghausen Refinery.
- Construction begins in summer 2019, with operations starting in September 2020.
- The plant will produce high-purity isobutene using technology developed with BASF.
- The ISO C4 unit will have a production capacity of around 60,000 t/a.
Investment and Construction Timeline
OMV is investing EUR 64 million in the construction of an ISO C4 plant at the Burghausen Refinery. The construction phase is set to begin in summer 2019, with operations expected to start in September 2020.
Innovative Technology and Collaboration
The new plant will produce high-purity isobutene using a technology developed in collaboration with BASF. This method for heat integration has been jointly filed for a global patent by both companies. BASF, as a supplier of catalysts and licensor of petrochemicals technologies, provides a catalyst system that meets all process requirements.
Energy Efficiency and Integration
The new isobutene unit will be integrated into the existing metathesis plant at the Burghausen Refinery, which manufactures propylene for the plastics industry. The planned ISO C4 unit boasts exceptional energy efficiency, with up to 80% of the heating energy required being met by waste heat from existing facilities. The unit will have a production capacity of around 60,000 tons per annum.
Applications of Isobutene
Isobutene, part of the C4 hydrocarbons group, is produced from crude oil components through thermal cracking. The isobutene produced will enhance OMV's product portfolio and will be used in manufacturing glues, grease, antioxidants, and vitamin C.
