Nizhnekamskneftekhim starts up 160ktpa isobutylene plant

Nizhnekamsk, Russia – Tatarstan-based petrochemicals supplier PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim has started up a new isobutylene production plant, as part of its plans to increase its rubber production.

Commissioning of the 160 kilotonne per annum (ktpa) unit took place 19 June, in the presence of company and local officials, as well as the president of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the company said.

Isobutylene is a raw material for the production of isoprene, the main component in the production of synthetic isoprene and butyl rubbers.

The new isobutylene facility is the second of three investment projects at the isoprene-monomer plant – under a programme to increase the production of isoprene rubber SKI-3 to 330ktpa.

The new unit will create 68 jobs, and according to NKNH “meets all modern technological solutions for safety… and energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.”

Last September, the company opened a 100ktpa plant for the production of highly concentrated formaldehyde at its isoprene-monomer plant in Nizhnekamsk.

This plant, said the company, was the first of three projects implemented to increase production of isoprene rubber.

The remaining project involves upgrading the isoprene production facility.

Nizhnekamsk has announced ambitious plans to increase its overall rubber production capacity to 1,000ktpa by 2021.

In August last year, the Russian group revealed plans to increase production of isoprene rubber SKI from its current 270ktpa.

The company is also planning to increase its production of butyl and halobutyl rubber to 220ktpa by 2021.