INVISTA, a world leader in chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers, signed a technology licensing agreement with Markor Chemical for butanediol (BDO) manufacturing technology.

Headquartered in Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, China, Markor Group is a private company with businesses in furniture manufacturing, home furnishings and chemicals. Its subsidiary, Markor Chemical, produces methanol, formaldehyde, acetylene, tetrahydrofuran, and BDO in Korla, Xinjiang Province, China.

Mr. Feng Dongming, chairman and CEO of Markor Investment Group, and Mr. Jeff Gentry, chairman of the board of directors and CEO of INVISTA, participated in a signing ceremony for the licensing deal held here at INVISTA’s headquarters. Also present were Mr. Cao Guang, chairman and CEO of Chengda Engineering Company, as well as senior representatives from both companies.

“We are proud to support Markor’s continuing technological and industrial development through our licensing of BDO technologies,” said Gentry. “We appreciate Markor’s trust and hope to see our collaboration with Markor extend into the future.”

The licensing agreement covers the manufacturing processes, required technologies, product formulations and expert engineering services for the 100-kt per year BDO plant.

“Our technology licensing organization, INVISTA Performance Technologies, has over 40 years of technology transfer experience and has participated in more than 40 projects in China,” said Gentry. “We are pleased to provide Markor with the design and know-how for its manufacturing operation in Xinjiang.”

Chemical intermediate BDO (1,4 butanediol) is used in the manufacture of polyester resins, polyurethanes, and PTMEG (polytetramethylene ether glycol), which is used to make spandex fibers, thermal plastic elastomers, and cast elastomers for apparel, automotive, and industrial uses.

INVISTA has been licensing its leading technologies in chemical intermediates and polymers in China since 1990. The total investment of INVISTA's Chinese licensees has now exceeded RMB 33 billion.

INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications.

source:INVISTA