Building Blocks for the Feed Industry: Oxea Expands Production Capabilities for Butyric Acid and Propionic Acid

MONHEIM AM RHEIN, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The global chemical company Oxea has successfully concluded a
significant upgrade of its carboxylic acids production facility in
Oberhausen, Germany. As a result, Oxea has enhanced the production
output of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as propionic acid,
butyric acid, and isobutyric acid. Oxea manufactures butyric and
propionic acid in Animal Feed (AF) quality. These products are of high
importance to the feed industry, which uses them as building blocks for
feed materials that are free from antibiotic growth promoters, so called
AGP-free feed. SCFAs from the upgraded unit in Oberhausen are handled
under GMP+ B2 (Good Manufacturing Practice) and have received HACCP
(Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification to address
requirements primarily in the animal feed sector.

Dr. Oliver Borgmeier, Vice President Operations Derivatives Europe &
China at Oxea, explained the importance of the acid site upgrade: “The
recent investment substantially increases global supply reliability for
our customers. It enables additional units to produce our short chain
fatty acids, and significantly improves the overall output of acids
across our multi-site, multi-products acids platform.”

“With this upgrade, we are supporting the strong growth of animal feed
acidifiers, which are key contributors to the development of animal
diets free of antibiotic growth promoters. The demand for the required
salts and esters of butyric acids and propionic acid, in particular in
Asia and the Americas, to manufacture AGP-free animal feed is growing
significantly,” stated Dr. Christoph Balzarek, Commercial Business
Director Carboxylic Acids at Oxea.

“This upgrade at our Oberhausen site is just the first step towards
further enhancement of our carboxylic acid capabilities in the short-
and mid-term. We will further strengthen Oxea’s comprehensive carboxylic
acids portfolio across all products and markets, which also include
lubricants and synthetic fluids, ingredients for personal care
applications, and paint and coating additives,” added Cristóbal
Ascencio, Executive Vice President Derivatives. “The investment into our
acids production facility in Oberhausen is yet another example of Oxea’s
commitment to the selective growth strategy that our CEO Dr. Salim Al
Huthaili is driving. We will continue to invest in our strong global
production platforms and strengthen our product offerings,” concluded
Ascencio.

About Oxea
Oxea is a global manufacturer of oxo
intermediates and oxo derivatives, such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic
acids, specialty esters, and amines. These products are used for the
production of high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetics and
pharmaceutical products, flavorings and fragrances, printing inks and
plastics. Oxea employs more than 1,400 people worldwide. Oxea is part of
the Oman Oil Company S.A.O.C. (OOC), a commercial company wholly owned
by the Government of Oman. Established in 1996, it pursues investment
opportunities in the wider energy sector both inside and outside Oman.
OOC plays an important role in the Sultanate’s efforts to diversify the
economy and to promote domestic and foreign investments. For more
information about Oxea, visit www.oxea-chemicals.com.

Contacts

OXEA GmbH
Commercial contact
Dr. Christoph
Balzarek
Commercial Business Director, Carboxylic Acids and Esters
Value Chain
Phone: +49 (0)2173 9993-2984
[email protected]
or
Media
contact
Thorsten Ostermann
Communications and Press
Relations
Phone: +49 (0)2173 9993-3009
[email protected]