OQ Chemicals (formerly Oxea), a German Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Derivatives manufacturer has increased global production capacity of isononanoic acid by 30% with the completion of the expansion project at its Oberhausen facility.
As announced earlier by the company, the increase of isononanoic acid production is said to be part of the carboxylic acid expansion plan.
“OQ Chemicals is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carboxylic acids. The completion of the expansion project marks an important milestone in our long-term capacity strategy for carboxylic acids, which is based on expanding existing assets and adding production plants,” OQ Chemicals COO Dr Oliver Borgmeier said. “As the expansion projects are completed, work on our projected, sixth world-scale carboxylic acid plant in Oberhausen continues.”
“The additional volume will further enhance the flexibility of our production platforms and improve the reliability of supply, allowing our customers to grow their business across the whole acid portfolio for the next decade,” Borgmeier added.
Carboxylic acids are used in the production of synthetic lubricants and as feed additives.
Isononanoic acid is a higher carboxylic acid and is a primary ingredient in next-generation synthetic polyolester-based lubricants for the refrigeration industry.
OQ Chemicals entered into an agreement with Duqm Refinery and Petrochemicals Industries Company (DRPIC) in Oman last month to licence its advanced proprietary ethylene and propylene derivative manufacturing technology.