The Linde Group and BASF SE intended to cooperate in developing and licensing processes for the on-purpose production of linear butenes and butadiene. BASF has developed process technology and catalysts as well as the extraction technologies, while Linde is providing its expertise for the integration, optimization and commercialization of the process.

The new process will deliver an on-purpose route from butane to butadiene via butenes. Currently, the industry relies mainly on butadiene as a co-product from naphtha-cracking to ethylene. The shift to lighter cracker feedstock results in reduced volumes of co-products. Therefore the on-purpose production of higher olefins is gaining more and more importance.

“The new BASF technology is currently being developed by mini plant and pilot plant operation in Ludwigshafen”, said Dr. Heinrich-Josef Blankertz, Senior Vice President Global Technology, of BASF’s Petrochemicals division. “We are optimistic that we can offer a new best-in-class technology for the manufacturing of on-purpose butadiene to help producers meet the increasing global demand.”

“We focus on elaborating a solution that provides an efficient process characterized by optimal integration of the whole process chain,” added Dr. Ernst Haidegger, Head of Product Line Petrochemical Plants at Linde’s Engineering Division. “This new technology is a welcome addition to our existing portfolio of petrochemical technologies.”

Butadiene is a monomer used for the production of polymers, paper coating and synthetic rubber mainly for the tire production. Butenes are building blocks which are used in the chemical and in refining industries.