Butadiene

Description

1. Product Overview
Butadiene (C₄H₆) is a high-purity monomeric hydrocarbon and a cornerstone of synthetic rubber and polymer production. Primarily used in the manufacture of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene rubber (PBR), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins, it delivers unmatched performance in elasticity, impact resistance, and thermal stability. For industrial buyers, Butadiene represents a strategic feedstock that directly influences downstream product quality, process yield, and supply chain resilience in the global petrochemical value chain.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: 1,3-Butadiene (C₄H₆), typically ≥99.5% by weight

• Purity level: Polymer-grade (99.5–99.9%) / Industrial-grade (98.5–99.5%)

• Physical characteristics: Colorless, non-corrosive gas; liquefied under pressure or refrigeration; characteristic mild aromatic odor

• Density (liquid, at 20°C): ~0.62 g/cm³

• Boiling point: -4.4°C

• Packaging options: Pressurized ISO tanks (20–25 MT), rail tank cars (50–70 MT), refrigerated barges for bulk liquid, and 1,500 kg returnable cylinders for smaller volumes

• Shelf life: 6–12 months when stored under nitrogen blanketing at ≤30°C with polymerization inhibitor (e.g., TBC – tertiary butylcatechol)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Tire & automotive components (SBR, PBR): Provides superior abrasion resistance, low rolling resistance, and high wet-grip performance, reducing fuel consumption vs. natural rubber alternatives.

• Polymer modification (ABS, HIPS): Enhances impact strength and low-temperature ductility in engineering plastics for automotive interiors, appliances, and electronics casings.

• Industrial rubber goods (hoses, belts, footwear): Outperforms EPDM in tensile strength and cost-efficiency for non-weathering applications.

• Latex & adhesives (carboxylated SBR latex): Enables high-solid, low-VOC formulations for carpet backing, paper coating, and construction adhesives with faster drying times.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 9001:2025 certified production with real-time GC analysis; batch-to-batch variance <0.1% for inhibitor level and purity.

• Supply reliability: Multi-sourced from steam crackers (C4 fraction) and on-purpose dehydrogenation units; supply agreements with 99.5% on-time-in-full (OTIF) performance.

• Logistics capability: Dedicated fleet of pressurized ISO tanks with telemetry for pressure/temperature monitoring; rail and barge options for >10,000 MT/month buyers.

• Price competitiveness: Index-linked monthly pricing (ICIS, Platts) with volume discounts for 12+ month contracts; no hidden demurrage or cleaning fees.

• Safety & technical support: Full SDS, REACH/UK REACH compliance, and a 24/7 technical hotline for polymerization inhibition management and storage optimization.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT (one ISO tank)

• Loading capacity: 20 MT per 20-ft ISO tank container (maximum net weight); up to 42 MT per rail tank car; 1,500–2,000 MT per refrigerated barge.