The business line C4 Chemistry
Who are we and what do we do?
The business line C4 Chemistry is a leading manufacturer of additives that give consumer products the desired high-quality properties. In a globally unique integrated C4 production network at the Marl site, we produce, among other chemicals, butadiene, 1-butene, isononanol, DINP, ETBE, and a range of i-butene derivatives.
We encounter these products in every aspect of our daily lives after post-processing by our customers. They are mainly found in high-quality synthetics and coatings, for example, in the automotive sector and in home accessories and recreational items. However, their use is not limited to synthetics, since our products are used in a wide range of other applications such as gasoline additives, cosmetics and solvents in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
The main market for the business line C4 Chemistry is Europe, followed by Asia. Because of the high acceptance of our products, we are in the process of expanding our strong market and technology position for C4 products in Europe, not to mention constructing a new production plant in Belgium. In addition, we are striving to become the global leader in plasticizer alcohols with our principal product isononanol.
With our superior technology we have been able to implement a highly efficient integrated production network that allows us to process all components of the C4 compound into the products demanded. This lets us completely utilize all hydrocarbons in this fraction.
Thanks to this integrated production network, C4 Chemistry uses a minimum of resources. This proves that we value highly environmental protection and the corresponding prevention measures. Consequently, the principles of the worldwide Responsible Care initiative and Sustainable Development are strong pillars of our corporate guidelines and corporate culture. Essentially, we are already taking responsibility for the environment of tomorrow. In this process, we are take ecology, economy and social responsibility equally into account.
All our units are certified or validated and operate under a quality and environmental management system in accordance with the requirements of DIN EN ISO 9001, DIN EN 14001 and the EU eco-audit ordinance.
With a sales volume of nearly 1.9 million metric tons a year (2007), sales revenues of approximately €1,510 million, and approximately 450 employees, C4-Chemistry iis the largest chemical manufacturer at the Marl Chemical Park.