Axens Expands Isobutylene Production with ExxonMobil MTBE Decomposition Technology

United States: Axens and ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing LLC have inked an exclusive licensing alliance agreement that empowers Axens to integrate ExxonMobil's MTBE Decomposition Technology into its portfolio for high purity Isobutylene. This technology, which is utilized in the production of high reactivity Polyisobutylene and butyl rubber, allows Axens' customers to tackle the surging demand for petrochemical intermediates over the next decade more effectively.

As per the agreement, Axens receives a global license to market, license, engineer, and offer technical support for developing new MTBE Decomposition units. This collaboration is based on combined proficiency to furnish customers with Isobutylene purity of at least 99.99 wt%. This can be achieved via an integrated unit that employs both MTBE and MTBE Decomposition technologies or through a standalone unit that uses MTBE Decomposition technology.

According to Luc Wolff, the Vice President of Petrochemical product line at Axens, the inclusion of ExxonMobil MTBE Decomposition technology to their portfolio fortifies the long-standing partnership with ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing LLC. This commercially established fixed-bed process catalytically cracks MTBE into Methanol and Isobutylene, thus offering a cost-effective and continuous solution.

Louis Burns, the Market Development Manager for ExxonMobil Corporation, expresses enthusiasm in expanding the partnership with Axens and providing the industry with their proven technology. The successful collaboration between the two companies in other technologies has laid the foundation for this natural progression and proposal.

ExxonMobil, a prominent global energy company, leverages technology and innovation to address the ever-increasing energy demands of the world. Boasting an extensive inventory of resources, ExxonMobil is among the largest marketers and refiners of petroleum products, and its chemical company is a major player in the industry. The company has made investments and is involved in operations across a range of industries, including petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear fuels, chemicals, and mineral ores.

Axens group offers a comprehensive array of solutions for converting oil and biomass into cleaner fuels, producing, and refining major petrochemical intermediates, recycling plastics chemically, treating all-natural gas, and converting it into alternatives, as well as treating water and capturing carbon. Their range of services include cutting-edge technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents, and other related facilities.

Axens' comprehensive coverage of the value chain spans from conducting feasibility studies to facilitating unit start-ups and includes ongoing support for the entire unit life cycle. This exceptional position allows for optimal performance with a minimal environmental impact. Axens boasts highly skilled human resources, state-of-the-art production facilities, and an extensive global network for technical support, industrial services, and commercial assistance, all contributing to their global offer.