Technip Zimmer Process Technology

Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)

Technip Zimmer PBT Technology Proven technology

for continuous polycondensation Technip Zimmer’s track record of engineering PBT
polycondensation plants stretches back more than 25 years.
process For example, we pioneered the use of PTA as a feedstock,
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) offers superior strength driving down the costs of PBT production.
and durability compared to other polyesters. It also offers We build plants from small-scale batch facilities for specialty
outstanding chemical resistance and physical properties – products to continuous single-line plants with capacities of
making it especially suitable for applications in the field of up to 400 tons of PBT.
engineering plastics – and for high-value textiles.
The PBT production process
A premium provider
In our 3 stage reactor process PBT is produced starting from
Technip Zimmer’s PBT technology accounts for approximately 1.4 butanediol (BDO) and pure terephthalic acid (PTA). The
70% of the plants built worldwide in the last decade. raw materials are esterified. The final reaction step to reach
Our plants are highly reliable and cost effective: Zimmer® PBT the desired high viscosity is done in Zimmer’s® unique Double
technology offers an exceptionally high yield of the required Drive Reactor (DDR).
feedstock 1.4 butane diol (BDO) and purified terephthalic
acid (PTA) and additionally, providing as a valuable high purity Efficient reactor design
side product tetrahydrofuran
Technip (THF). The PBT chips’ quality
Zimmer® 3-Stage Our unique double-drive disc ring reactor design has enabled
complies
PBTwith highest product requirements
Polycondensation Process and can easily us to develop a more efficient process for high viscosity melt.
be processed.
for medium and high Instristic Viscosity The reactor enables flexible, cost-efficient PBT production
Chip Production or Direct Spinning without the need for additional equipment.

PTA +
1.4 BDO
M M

Direct
M
Spinning

Direct Spining

Pelletizing
System

PBT Chips

Paste Preparation Esterification Prepolycondensation Polycondensation Chip Production

3-Reactor PBT Polycondensation Process for Medium and High Intrinsic Viscosity Chip Production or Direct Spinning
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) recovery: HEADQUARTERS
Technip

better Return On Investment 89 Avenue de la Grande Armée

75773 Paris Cedex 16
France
The THF recovery is offered as part of Technip Zimmer’s PBT technology or as a stand alone Phone: +33 (0)1 47 78 24 00
solution to recover THF from other polymer plants. CONTACTS
THF, a side product of the PBT chemistry, is extremely valuable, with a wide range of Technip Zimmer 
applications from solvents to reaction agents. Technip Zimmer’s distillation system reliably Process Technology
purifies high quality, pharmaceutical-grade THF at high yield, ensuring attractive returns. Technip Zimmer GmbH
Friesstrasse 20
60388 Frankfurt
THF can be used as raw material for various products in the industry. Germany
Phone: +49 (0)69 667784 500
THF Email: technipzimmer@technip.com

Technip Zimmer Research Center

Technip Zimmer GmbH
Gwinnerstraße 27-33
Solvent (20%) Reaction media (10%) Reaction agent (70%) 60388 Frankurt
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)69 667784 500
Email: technipzimmer@technip.com
Artificial leather, Grignard-reactions Tetrahydrothiophene
glues & adhesives (THT)

Vinyl films
and cellophane
Other metal-organic
reactions
Poloytetramethylene-
glycol (Poly-THF) www.technip.com
Pharmaceutics
PTMEG

Printing ink & colors

Thermoplastic
TPE-E Elastomer
Spandex

Products made from THF

Technip Zimmer the last 60 years. This helped us to build an

outstanding track record of more than 800
Technip Zimmer Process Technology
plants.
provides technology, engineering, project
management and procurement services From our offices and lab in Frankfurt
for polyesters (PET, PBT, PTT, PBS) and Germany, we have access to Technip’s
polyamide (PA6, PA6.6) production plants. leading global engineering, procurement,
project management and construction
Focused on customer needs, our engineers
network. With close to 32,500 employees,
have enhanced our portfolio of well-
Technip operates in 45 countries around
proven technologies using our own
the world.
research and development facilities over

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This document is the property of Technip and is not intended to be a binding contractual
document. Any information contained herein shall not result in any binding obligation on
the part of Technip, or any of its affiliates, and is provided for information purposes only.
Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology – Communications – June 2015.
Photo credits: Technip.