ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing and Axens (Rueil-Malmaison, France) have signed an exclusive licensing alliance agreement allowing Axens to include ExxonMobil’s MTBE (Methyl tert-Butyl Ether) Decomposition Technology for high purity isobutylene in its portfolio.
Used in the production of high-reactivity polyisobutylene and butyl rubber, this technology enables Axens’ customers to better address the growing demand for petrochemical intermediates over the next decade.
Under the agreement, Axens is granted a worldwide right to market, license and provide engineering work and technical support for the design, construction and start-up of new MTBE Decomposition units. This alliance builds on collective expertise to provide customers with isobutylene purity of at least 99.99 wt% via an integrated unit with MTBE and MTBE Decomposition technologies or through a standalone unit using MTBE Decomposition technology.
“ExxonMobil MTBE Decomposition technology is a commercially proven, cost-effective, continuous fixed bed process that catalytically cracks MTBE into isobutylene and methanol. Adding this technology to Axens’ portfolio completes Axens’ offer and strengthens our long-term partnership with ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing LLC,” said Luc Wolff, Vice president Petrochemical Product Line at Axens.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with Axens and provide this proven technology to the industry. Our partnership with Axens in other technologies has demonstrated how well the two companies work together. It was consequently quite natural to propose this technology to Axens knowing their capability to deliver technology to the market,” commented Louis Burns, Market Development Manager of ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing.