SIBUR, a largest integrated petrochemicals company in Russia, has completed the development of a proprietary technology for the production of n-Butyllithium, a polymerisation initiator for the production of synthetic rubbers and SBS polymers.

Rubbers and SBS polymers made using n-Butyllithium offer increased resistance to abrasion, more flexibility and a greater ability to recover after deformation, among other features, which have a positive impact on the consumer appeal of the end product – car tires, shoe soles and so on.

Besides, Butyllithium is a valuable component in the organic synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients and is used in the production of agrochemicals and electronics.

SIBUR develops a proprietary technology for the production of n-Butyllithium.

In the future, the company plans to make enough of the component to meet its needs. Notably, the it has not ruled out the possibility of building its own facility to manufacture the component at one of its production sites.

"We started by reproducing a well-known 20th-century technology that remains widely used in the United States, Europe and China," introduced Maxim Lipskikh, head of the plasticiser laboratory at NIOST, SIBUR's research and development centre.

"In the course of their work, however, our experts tested a number of hypotheses and optimized the technology for the production of n-Butyllithium by reducing the number of stages and the amount of equipment involved, which will make production much more cost-effective overall."

All stages, from the laboratory phase to the completion of the first pilot tests, were completed in seven months. The technology developed by SIBUR's scientists makes it possible to manufacture a product of the required quality that is in line with global benchmarks.