Strong MTBE, ETBE demand expected as LyondellBasell breaks ground on PO/TBA plant - ICIS Americas podcast 24 August 2018

ICIS Americas Podcast

News reporter David Haydon speaks with markets editor Steven McGinn on expected strong demand in the US methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) market. Discussions include LyondellBasell's recent groundbreaking for its $2.4bn propylene oxide (PO)/tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) project in Channelview, Texas. The TBA will be converted to MTBE and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). MTBE was phased out of the US gasoline pool over a decade ago in favour of corn-based ethanol. However, international markets, such as Mexico, Latin America and China, remain a robust destination for the gasoline additive, and Lyondellbasell said it sees its high-octane fuels production as key to the growing market.