Chevron Phillips expands mercaptan production in Europe

CHEVRON Phillips Chemicals International N.V. (Chevron Phillips Chemical NV) is expanding its Tessenderlo, Belgium facility. The expansion includes an on-purpose hydrogen sulfide (H2S) unit and additional sulfur-based products capacity to better serve customers and meet their growing demands. Construction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2014. In preparation for the upgrade, the Tessenderlo plant added a new state-of-the-art control room in September 2013. Production capacity at the site will increase by more than 40 percent as a result of this expansion.  

Demand for organosulfur products is expected to continue to grow, particularly for those materials used as chain transfer agents like tertiary dodecyl mercaptan or TDM, said Peter Bastemeijer, Product Line Manager for Specialty Chemicals in Europe. Chevron Phillips Chemical NV aims to respond to customer needs throughout the world, especially in Europe and Asia.  

Chevron Phillips Chemical NV’s Tessenderlo facility produces chemical intermediates, including mercaptans, sulfides, polysulfides and Scentinel? gas odorants that are used in agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, modifiers in rubber and plastics and the odorization of propane and natural gas. Chevron Phillips Chemical produces a similar line of products at its facility in Borger, Texas.