Chemical Sciences

Para-tert-butyl benzoic acid is a substituted benzoic acid. It is a white crystal to yellow flakes and is used as a process regulator in polymer industry for producing alkyd and polyester resin . Para-tert-butyl benzoic acid is a speciality chemical for which China is the largest supplier with 25000 TPA and seven manufacturing units. At present there is no dedicated capacity for production of para-tert-butyl benzoic acid in India. Indian demand is 1000 TPA for personal care segment only. The product para-tert-butyl benzoic acid is a speciality chemical and the current demand of it in the Indian market is solely met through imports . The raw material para-tert-butyltoluene is produced by CSIR-IICTs patented process. The process was developed with air as the oxidizing agent and a recyclable commercial catalyst. The basic design report for commercial plant of 3000 TPA was prepared by CSIR-IICT. The commercial plant of 3000 TPA was commissioned by CSIR-IICT and the plant is now operating continuously.