Responding to environmental concerns about butyltin compounds, Songwon Industrial (Ulsan / South Korea; www.songwonind.com) said it will expand its di-n-octyltin oxide (DOTO) production and reduce its production of di-n-butyltin oxide (DBTO) in Ulsan. The company plans to expand its DOTO production at the site by 60% by mid-2013.

As well as replacing some DBTO production, the DOTO expansion will support future market needs, Songwon said. The DOTO and DBTO organo-tin intermediates are mainly used as raw materials in the production of heat stabilisers in PVC and styrenic applications, as well as in catalysts for the production of PU and other materials.

The tightening of global environmental regulations, and the introduction of the EU’s REACH chemicals registration, evaluation and authorisation legislation, have accelerated the movement to replace butyltin compounds, especially in Europe, the company said. “Songwon foresees that, where possible, butyltin compounds will be replaced by octyltin compounds by 2015,” it stated, adding that, “The market demand shifting from DBTO to DOTO is the driving force behind Songwon’s decision to realign manufacturing.”