Texas Petrochemicals Inc., a Houston-based petrochemical company that provides a diverse range of quality products and services into performance, specialty and intermediate manufacturing markets worldwide, has announced the complete commissioning of its new polyisobutylene (PIB) production unit at its Houston plant site. The plant opened on October 6, 2008, and is shipping product to customers.

Using proprietary technology, the plant is designed to produce both highly reactive PIB (HR-PIB) and enhanced PIB (E-PIB), which substitutes for conventional PIB in many applications. The expansion will double the company's existing production capacity, with a significant portion of this capacity committed to long-term contracted customers, but unreserved capacity is available for new customers seeking to expand their PIB supply.

Texas Petrochemicals is the only merchant producer of HR-PIB in North America, where its application is in lubes and fuel additives, and E-PIB, which is used in a variety of product applications, including caulks, sealants, adhesives, and cling film. The company services PIB markets worldwide, which include both industrial and fuel and lubricant additive markets.

For more information, visit www.txpetrochem.com.