INEOS Oxide has expanded its Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB) plant in Antwerp

INEOS Oxide has today confirmed that it has successfully expanded its Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB) plant at its Antwerp facility, increasing its capacity to 28,000 tonnes, making it the single largest ENB plant in the world.

The expansion was completed during Q4 2013.

“We are pleased to be able to announce that we have successfully expanded our ENB plant to support our customer’s needs.” said Hans Casier, CEO INEOS Oxide. “Ongoing global growth, and demand from new ENB customers, in particular those producing ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, requires new capacity. Debottlenecking the Antwerp plant is a unique step by INEOS that will provide sufficient ENB for the next 2-3 years.”

ENB is used primarily in the production of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM). Because it is extremely wear and weather resistant this high performance rubber is increasingly favoured for use in the automotive, white goods and construction industries.  Its unique molecular structure means ENB is also used in the high value fragrance and flavours industry as a scent carrier.