TPC to expand production capacity of polyisobutylene

TPC Group Inc., a leader in providing highly specialized lines of chemical products to major chemical and petroleum-based companies worldwide, announced that it has commenced engineering to expand production capacity of polyisobutylene (PIB).
TPC Group is the largest North American PIB supplier and one of the largest in the world.
The need for a capacity expansion is driven by the growing demand for highly reactive (HR) PIB due to upcoming changes in automotive engine oil standards that favor the use of HR-PIB based dispersants, as well as increasing demand for a wide variety of other end uses for PIBs, including automotive sealants and industrial lubricants.
“TPC Group is committed to maintaining its position as the premier supplier of PIB in North America,” said President and CEO Michael McDonnell. “As the leading merchant producer of PIB, we are focused on meeting the needs of our customers for high quality products delivered through our extensive logistics network. We back our commitment to our customers with the security of multiple production units and multiple sources of feedstock supply, including our own isobutylene production unit targeted for start-up in 2014.”
TPC Group first entered the PIB market in May 2000, with the start-up of its patented process to produce a wide range of PIB products. Since that time, the company has grown significantly through multiple expansions to become the largest producer in North America. TPC supplies the market from its Houston production facility, as well as product terminals in Houston and near Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.