Oversupply of HRPIB in China

Highly reactive polyisobutylene(HRPIB)features good thermal stability, no carbon residue from cracking, chemical resistance, etc. HRPIB is mainly used to produce polyisobutylene ashless dispersant but can also produce numerous new products like glycern isobutyrate polymer and internal plasticizers. Low molecular weight and highly reactive polyisobutylene(LHRPIB)occupies part of market share in high-end lube oil as well as fuel oil additives, especially its property of being used to synthesize polyisobutene amine without using halogen has a great impact on the traditional low molecular weight polyisobutylene products.

1. Surplus capacity of HRPIB
China’s HRPIB sector has developed rapidly in recent years. At present, China has three HRPIB producers with a total capacity of 80 thousand t/a (see Table 1).
   Guangxi Qinzhou Mid-Asia Petrochemical Technology Co., Ltd has planned to construct 20 thousand t/a HRPIB and ashless dispersant project. Luoyang Jili Economic Development Investment Co., Ltd plans to invest RMB18.0 million and use the BF3 catalytic process developed by the Research Institute of PetroChina Jilin Petrochemical Co., Ltd to construct a 3 000 t/a new polyisobutylene unit. Using high purity isobutylene as raw material, the unit can produce HRPIB with low molecular weight.
   In 2012, China’s apparent consumption of HRPIB was only around 36 thousand tons. However, the capacity to make HRPIB in China amounts to 80 thousand t/a. Therefore, excess capacity has caused an oversupply in China.
   The production of HRPIB is a green chemical industry, and demand for HRPIB will continue to increase. However, because the production cost of HRPIB is higher than that of the traditional low molecular weight polyisobutylene products, widespread application of HRPIB needs more understanding and promotion.
   At present, the main technologies in China for producing HRPIB are Beijing University of Chemical Technology’s new aluminum-phenolic composite catalyst system, the energy-saving simplified process of Weihai Binhai Petrochemical Co., Ltd, and epoxidized HRPIB prepared by Changchun University of Technology.       

Table 1   China’s HRPIB Producers in 2012 (kt/a)
Producer    Capacity    Product brands    Purpose
BASF-YPC Co., Ltd    50    PIB1000
        PIB1300
        PIB2300    Lube oil ashless dispersant and gasoline detergent, etc.
Fine Chemical Factory of PetroChina Jilin Petrochemical Co., Ltd    20    JH-1300
        JH-2300
        JH-2400
        JH-1000    Lube oil ashless dispersant and gasoline detergent, etc.
Weihai Binhai Petrochemical Co., Ltd    10    BH-1000
        BH-2300
        BH-1300    Lubrication as well as gasoline detergent (polyisobutylene succinimide)
Total    80