Polyisobutylene

Polyisobutylene Overview

TPC Group is the largest North American producer of polyisobutylene (PIB) and one of the largest in the world. Also known as polybutene, we use our proprietary, patented technology to ensure safe, reliable, environmentally sound operations while we manufacture multiple grades of PIB at our Houston, Texas plant.

TPC Group offers a broad portfolio of PIB products to our customers in the lubricant and fuel additive segments, as well as a multitude of other applications such as caulks, sealants, adhesives, packaging, greases and emulsifiers. Our products have a broad range of viscosities and molecular weights. We produce our PIB products in two forms with highly reactive PIB (HR-PIB) being our largest product line by volume, which is used predominantly in the fuel and lubricant additive segments. We also produce a family of enhanced or conventional PIB products, which are used in applications where it is blended with other ingredients to make the final product.

At TPC Group, we have an extensive logistics network that ensures the efficient delivery of our PIB grades. We have complete railcar, truck and ISO container services from our Houston plant and multiple terminal facilities around the country.

Highly Reactive Polyisobutylene (HR-PIB)

HR-PIB is a polyisobutylene that has greater than 80 percent of its double bonds located in the terminal position in the molecule, allowing it to react more quickly when producing derivatives, especially detergents and dispersants. Processing with HR-PIB also produces less char during manufacture and the derivative products are used to improve final lubricant and fuel performance. TPC Group has proprietary technology that allows production of a complete range of HR-PIB products. These grades are typically sold in railcar quantities, but isocontainers and trucks are also available.

Enhanced Polyisobutylene Grades

TPC Group’s Enhanced PIB grades are replacements for conventional PIB in applications where viscosity and tackiness are desired key qualities. Our proprietary process produces clear, consistent, and water-white products that are used in adhesives, caulks, sealants, personal care products and packaging. The wide range of available molecular weights allows our customers flexibility in precisely tailoring to their formulation requirements. Enhanced PIB grades are sold in trucks, isocontainers and railcars to ensure fast, reliable and on-time deliveries to our customers.

Isobutylene Derivatives (DIB and HPIB)

TPC Group is a merchant supplier of both di-isobutylene (DIB) and high purity isobutylene (HPIB) that are used in the production of plastic additives, adhesive resins and personal care products. These products are made at our Houston site and are available in railcars, isocontainers or trucks. In addition, DIB is available by barge or ship for bulk export. We are proud of our reliability, flexibility and customer focus that is key to our customer’s success.

Safety

Technical

Handling Guide

PIB Handling Guidelines

Download