PO/TBA Plant


LyondellBasell is building the largest propylene oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) plant in the world. The Houston-based project represents the single-largest investment in the company’s history, to date. The products produced at the plant will be sold to domestic and global customers, with a majority of the products being exported via the Houston Ship Channel. The PO/TBA Project is part of LyondellBasell’s $5 billion organic growth program taking place on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Advancing Solutions and Performance in:

  • Textiles
  • Home furnishings
  • Coatings
  • Adhesives
  • Construction and roofing materials
  • High-octane gasoline components

Propylene Oxide

Propylene Oxide is a chemical that is used in applications like: flexible and semi-rigid foams, spray application polyurethane insulation, propylene glycol anti-freeze and deicing agents.  Over the last 20 years, the LyondellBasell processes have been providing value by delivering marketable co-products versus a single chemical offer.

Key Benefits:

  • Highest cash flow potential​
  • Lowest cash cost - Coproducts bring significant value​
  • Lowest capex per ton of product​
  • Long history of reliability and global partnerships​
  • 50+ years of technology improvements

Oxyfuels

Oxyfuels or oxygenated fuels like tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), contains ingredients and additives ('oxygenates') that increase the oxygen content, primarily to offset the carbon monoxide created when fuel is burned. These oxygenates can be TBA additives like Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE). re alcohols such as LyondellBasell’s PO/TBA manufacturing process provide value by delivering marketable co-products versus a single chemical offer.

 

Project Fact Sheet

Distillation Tower

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