Oxea (Monheim am Rhein / Germany; www.oxea-chemicals.com) has named a partner for its expansion of dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) production in Europe – see Plasteurope.com of 06.12.2017. The chemical company is collaborating with DMT producer Oxxynova (Steyerberg / Germany; www.oxxynova.com), which will produce the targeted 60,000 t/y of the general purpose non-ortho-phthalate plasticiser DOTP for Oxea in Steyerberg.

Engineering activities on the new plant are "well under way," says Oxea. In a dedicated unit, DOTP will be produced through the transesterification process, which is superior to conventional esterification. Oxea will supply the precursor 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) to Oxxynova and in turn market DOTP through its own sales channels.

Oxxynova's dimethyl terephthalate site lies between Hamburg and Bremen, and was built in 1977 by the former Dynamit Nobel. The company sees itself as the European market leader in DMT, which is used in the polyester chains, among others.

DOTP is used as a replacement for dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). The phthalate-free plasticiser is used in a range of applications in the construction, automotive, coatings and flooring sectors.