TPC Group raising di-isobutylene capacity

Houston, Texas – TPC Group has increased its capacity to produce di-isobutylene (DIB), a chemical intermediate with applications in rubber chemicals and lubricant additives.

The group has launched a series of infrastructure upgrade and efficiency improvements at its facility in Houston, increasing production capacity by 27% in 2023, said TPC in a recent statement.

Additional improvements have also expanded the ability to load isocontainers for export, it added.

“TPC has recognised the need for greater DIB supply and is focused on making it available when it is needed,” said Randall Redd, VP speciality products for TPC Group.

According to TPC, DIB is used in a variety of applications but much of its growth is driven by the adoption of low global warming potential refrigerants, where DIB is a key component in the lubricants.

It is also used in phenolic resins for tire manufacturing and antioxidants for plastics.