Diols and its derivative are versatile intermediates used in the chemical industry. BASF PETRONAS Chemicals, produces the following diols derivatives: Butanediol, Tetrahydrofuran and Gamma-butyrolactone. It is mainly used in the manufacturing of engineering plastics, i.e. Polybutylene Terephthalate. It is also used in the application of polyurethane in the leather industry. In certain applications, it is also used to manufacture hot melt adhesive.

Butanediol is widely used in various industries. Its hydrophobic and chemical resistance characteristics makes it one of the more versatile chemical intermediates in the industry. It serves as a building block in the production of polyester polyols and polyether polyols.

Tetrahydrofuran is one of Butanediol’s derivatives. Physically, it is a clear, colorless liquid with low viscosity and ether like odour. Its high volatility and extremely low freezing temperature enables it to be widely used in various industrial applications, for example, as a solvent in pharmaceuticals, and the starting block for the production of Poly-tetramethyl Ether-glycol (PTMEG) for fibre yarns, which lends stretchability to textiles.

Gamma-butyrolactone is also a Butanediol Derivative. It is a colorless liquid with a high boiling point and low odour. Gamma-butyrolactone is soluble in alcohol and aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, ketones and water. Being a chemical intermediate, it is used in a wide range of production processes from agriculture to pharmaceuticals
Market Application
Butanediol is mainly used in the manufacturing of engineering plastics, i.e. Polybutylene Terephthalate. It is also used in the application of polyurethane in the leather industry. In certain applications, it is also used to manufacture hot melt adhesive.
Tetrahydrofuran serves as a solvent in many applications. It is widely used in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), to blend with other solvents in PVC or Polyurethane industries. In certain applications, it is also used in the production of adhesive for PVC. The main downstream application for Tetrahydrofuran is in the production Spandex, the fibre yarns that imparts stretchability to textiles & garments.
The major end use of Gamma Butyrolactone is in the production of NMP and 2-pyrrolidone. Gamma Butyrolactone is also a good cleaning agent used in industrial cleaning products, which includes paint stripper, de inking and adhesive remover. It is also applied as a chemical intermediate in agrichemical pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals and dyes.
CATEGORY | PRODUCT RANGE | CATEGORY |
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Butanediol & Derivatives | Butanediol |
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Tetrahydrofuran |
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Gamma Butyrolactone |
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