TPC Group has expanded the capability and flexibility of its C4 processing units in Port Neches, Texas, USA, to meet growing market demand for C4 feedstock. The group said the additional capabilities will allow it to better manage the growing supply of crude C4 from new ethylene crackers that are expected to start operations in 2017 and beyond, as well as the changing compositions of crude C4s from increased cracking of butane and propane.

The company said it has simultaneously operated both of its butadiene (BD) extraction trains in Port Neches for extended periods to meet market demand. In addition, TPC has returned to service an idled BD extraction train, which now has the added flexibility to extract normal butane. This flexibility means the group can better manage the shifting crude C4 qualities from increased use of normal butane cracker feedstock. The additional extraction train also improves TPC’s raffinate quality for refinery alkylation units.

“TPC Group’s rigorous five-year long-range plan is focused on getting the most out of our current assets and strengthening our capabilities to address what is happening in the markets, which includes growth in C4 feedstock supply from both new and expanded crackers as well as crude C4 suppliers cracking higher levels of butane and propane,” said Ed Dineen, TPC’s chairman, president and CEO. “With these new capabilities, TPC is prepared to meet both the growing C4 processing needs of our suppliers and the butadiene and butylene needs of our current and new customers.”