Lummus launched Thermacrack™ C5, enabling efficient isoamylene production, lower costs, reduced emissions, and expanded specialty chemical opportunities.
Lummus Technology, a globally recognized provider of advanced process technologies and energy-focused solutions, has announced the commercial launch of its latest innovation, Thermacrack™ C5, a technology designed to help producers improve operational efficiency, reduce capital expenditures, and increase the output of high-value specialty chemicals.
The introduction of Thermacrack™ C5 marks a significant expansion of Lummus Technology’s proven Thermacrack platform. The new solution builds upon the success of the company’s widely adopted Thermacrack™ C4 technology, which has been commercially validated for the backcracking of MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) and ETBE (ethyl tert-butyl ether) to produce high-purity isobutylene. Leveraging years of expertise in etherification and backcracking technologies, as well as extensive experience in TAME (tert-amyl methyl ether) production, Lummus has developed Thermacrack™ C5 to efficiently process C5 hydrocarbon streams and produce isoamylene, a valuable feedstock used in a variety of specialty chemical applications.
The new technology utilizes established backcracking methods and proven feedstock processing capabilities, enabling manufacturers to achieve higher conversion rates and improved product selectivity. By extending the Thermacrack platform to C5 streams, Lummus provides customers with an innovative solution that helps maximize the value of existing feedstocks while enhancing overall plant performance.
According to Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer at Lummus Technology, the Thermacrack family of technologies has been developed to directly address key customer priorities, including operational efficiency, product quality, reliability, and performance. He emphasized that Thermacrack™ C5 offers producers a practical and effective pathway to improve production economics while supporting growth in specialty chemical markets that demand high-purity materials and consistent product quality.
The technology is expected to play an important role in the manufacture of products used in applications such as adhesives, antioxidants, and performance additives. These markets continue to experience growing demand, creating opportunities for producers to increase profitability through the production of higher-value chemical intermediates such as isoamylene.
Thermacrack™ C5 offers several advantages that can significantly improve plant operations and profitability. One of its primary benefits is the production of high-purity isoamylene with enhanced conversion efficiency and selectivity. The process also minimizes the formation of unwanted byproducts, which simplifies downstream processing and reduces associated operational costs.
In addition, the technology is designed to lower energy consumption, helping producers reduce operating expenses while also supporting emissions-reduction goals. Continuous and reliable operation is another key feature, enabling facilities to minimize downtime and maintain stable production rates. Furthermore, Thermacrack™ C5 can be integrated into existing processing units, providing flexibility for plant retrofits, upgrades, or capacity expansion projects without requiring extensive infrastructure modifications.
As one of the leading licensors of etherification and backcracking technologies worldwide, Lummus Technology supports a large global installed base and benefits from decades of operational expertise. The launch of Thermacrack™ C5 further strengthens the company’s portfolio of advanced conversion technologies and reinforces its commitment to helping customers improve asset utilization, increase production efficiency, and capture emerging opportunities in high-growth specialty chemical markets.
By extending its proven Thermacrack platform to a broader range of feedstocks, Lummus is enabling producers to unlock greater value from their operations while meeting evolving market demands for high-performance specialty chemical products.
