Who we are
The BDO & Derivatives Sector group (BDO) covers products such as 1,4 butanediol, gammabutyrolactone (GBL), tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N-ethylpyrrolidone (NEP) and 2-pyrrolidone.
GBL and BDO are widely used industrial chemicals serving as critical ingredients in many different products and applications. GBL offers excellent solvent qualities with low toxicity and diminished environment concerns. GBL is involved in the manufacture of products including hospital supplies, beverage filtration and purification aids. GBL is also used for applications including circuit board cleaning in the electronics and high technology industries; the production of herbicides; and as a processing aid in the production of vitamins and pharmaceuticals. While there are solvent applications for GBL, the majority of the GBL manufactured is used by industrial companies as an intermediate in the manufacturing process of other chemicals.
BDO serves predominantly as an intermediate ingredient in common industrial and commercial products. BDO is reacted to make items such as engineering plastics, polyurethane systems (e.g. golf balls, skateboard wheels, car bumpers) and as a carrier solvent in printing inks and a cleaning agent.
NMP is used for the desulfurisation of gases by physical scrubbing and in the large scale recovery of hydrocarbons by extractive distillation. As a solvent rheology modifier it finds its application in surface coatings, plastics, paint strippers, cleaners, plant protection and electronic equipment manufacture.
THF is a moderately polar aprotic solvent. It finds its application as a solvent for adhesives, lacquers, printing ink and unvulcanised rubber. It is used as a chemical intermediate in the preparation of polytetramethylene glycol; butyrolactone; succinic acid; adipic acid; 1.4 butanediol diacetate; and tetrahydrothiophene.
The BDO & Derivatives Sector Group represents the producers in the EU and chaired by Niels Möller, BASF. The following companies belong to BDO; BASF, Lyondell, Taminco and ISP.
What we do
The primary objective of BDO is to ensure that the classification and other regulatory decisions relating to 1,4 butanediol, gammabutyrolactone (GBL), tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N-ethylpyrrolidone (NEP) and 2-pyrrolidone both internationally and within Europe through EU and Member States authorities, are based upon a full and balanced evaluation of the scientific evidence.
The priorities are to:
- Prepare for REACH and GHS compliance
- Monitoring the NMP and THF legislation and informing all parties involved including national chemical federations
- Monitor the drug precursor status of GBL and BDO.
As part of its ongoing remit, BDO is also committed to:
- Safety aspects of packaging and logistics
- Collecting statistics
- Monitoring imports into the EU and taking action to address any unfair trade issues that may arise.
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