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Oxo technology licensing

Licensees can witness the benefits of our technology, including reliable onstream performance, stable catalyst and process operation, ease and safety of use, and minimal maintenance costs while maintaining high raw material yields.

Overview

Eastman actively promotes the licensing of its oxo rhodium BISBI catalyzed process, which yields a ratio of n-butyraldehyde to isobutyraldehyde > 25/1 (or > 96% n-butyraldehyde). Eastman’s standard offering is a license of the oxo BISBI process as well as its proprietary i-/n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol technologies.

As a producer of more than 25 derivatives from the oxo aldehyde streams, we provide a competitive advantage with more downstream versatility and business opportunities as a potential strategic partner and process technology licensor.

Eastman oxo product derivatives
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Benefits of catalyst stability and health

Eastman possesses technology, manufacturing and marketing expertise in oxo chemicals that spans more than 60 years.

Eastman manufacturing plants are designed to operate with a high degree of reliability. To accomplish the high onstream rate, a catalyst with a high degree of stability is vital. Eastman’s oxo rhodium catalyst technology provides multiple benefits for producers and manufacturers.

Uninterrupted operation

Eastman’s oxo rhodium catalyst technology allows for continuous plant operation without the need to shut down the reactor for catalyst replacement change-out.

Catalyst health control

Eastman procedures maintain the health of the catalyst without requiring reactor shutdowns, ensuring long-term productivity and a high onstream factor.

Minimized catalyst deactivation

Through extensive research and understanding of catalyst deactivation, Eastman implements strategies to prevent catalyst deactivation and maintain optimal performance.

Raw material specifications

Eastman experts follow strict raw material specifications, minimizing the presence of rhodium and ligand poisons in the process.

Optimal operating conditions

Target reactor operating conditions are properly set, and tight process control is maintained to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Reduced costs

Eastman’s oxo technology offers potential benefits of lower capital investment and reduced manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Higher onstream factor

The combination of reliable operation, catalyst stability and optimized processes contributes to achieving a higher onstream factor for improved productivity.

The history of oxo production

In 1952, Eastman operated a cobalt-based process to produce butyraldehydes and developed product lines that used the linear and branched isomers of butyraldehyde, resulting in its first shipment the same year. In the late 1970s, Eastman began to examine rhodium-based technology to manufacture butyraldehydes.

In the mid-1980s, a commitment by Eastman led to the development of new oxo catalyst technologies with an emphasis on adapting evolving business needs. This dedication to oxo technology research resulted in the creation and commercialization of several rhodium catalyst systems.

As one of the world’s largest single-site oxo facilities, the Longview, Texas, plant produces more than 25 different organic chemicals and specialty polymers. The primary focus of production is the oxo stream, which includes propionaldehyde, normal butyraldehyde, isobutyraldehyde and their derivative compounds. These derivatives encompass various substances such as alcohols, esters, acids and plasticizers.

In 2004, Eastman expanded oxo chemical production to the Qilu Eastman Specialty Chemicals, Ltd., facility in Zibo, China.

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Inquiries

For more information on Eastman's technology offerings, contact us:

Eastman
Technology licensing and alliances
P.O. Box 431, Bldg. 280
Kingsport, TN 37662
Tel: 1-800-EASTMAN (800-327-8626), Ext. 1369