BP's single step to ethyl acetate
15 Jan 2000
BP Chemicals has demonstrated and patented the technology for a new route to ethyl acetate, commonly used as a solvent and pharmaceuticals base.
The novel method known as direct addition produces ethyl acetate directly from ethylene and acetic acid and it suits locations where ethanol, in particular, is not available economically.
Conventional methods, such as from ethylene, via an acetaldehyde intermediate, or by the esterification of ethanol with acetic acid, are dirtier or more complex and rely on readily available, particular raw materials.
According to Patrick Van Acker, BP Chemicals' assets planning manager, many companies have tried to achieve the direct route but there has always been a problem of catalyst contamination which has limited lifetime.
The key to the new process is a (confidential) solid catalyst which effects a clean reaction at high yield. The development means that the company will be able to choose its manufacturing route according to feedstock availability, increasing its investment flexibility. The technology will be licensed only to BP Chemicals' joint ventures. It cannot be retrofitted to existing plants and the company is evaluating new prospects.
BP estimates that world capacity for ethyl acetate is about 1.1million t/a and that there are 'excellent' growth opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. The company is already the world's largest producer, making 250,,000t/a from three European plants (30 per cent of market share) and it holds a 45 per cent share in the International Ester Company (IEC) plant in Korea. Next year the IEC plant will almost double its present production of 45,,000t/a.
Didier Baudran, manager of the company's Solvents Business Unit, said: 'This technology has been developed in response to a clear business need and it will provide opportunities for expansion, particularly in Asia-Pacific.'
230 on enquiry card
