Acyclic hydrocarbons; unsaturated, butene (butylene) and isomers thereof

HS code 290123 covers the classification of acyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons, specifically butene (butylene) and its isomers. These compounds are essential building blocks in the petrochemical industry, serving as feedstocks for the production of a wide range of downstream products. The global trade and production of these hydrocarbons play a crucial role in supporting various industries, from plastics and rubbers to fuels and lubricants, making them a vital component of the broader economy.

Butene and its isomers are primarily produced through the cracking of larger hydrocarbon molecules, such as naphtha or natural gas liquids. This process, known as steam cracking, involves heating the feedstock to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, causing the larger molecules to break down into smaller, more unsaturated compounds. The resulting gas stream is then cooled and separated into its individual components, with butene and its isomers being isolated for further processing or use.

The main inputs required for the production of butene and its isomers include hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as 271011 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, other than crude; preparations not elsewhere specified or included, containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations; waste oils and 271112 Propane, liquefied. Additionally, the production process requires significant energy inputs, typically in the form of steam or electricity, as well as specialized equipment, such as cracking furnaces, distillation columns, and storage tanks.

The primary output of HS code 290123 is butene and its isomeric forms, which are then used as feedstocks for the production of a variety of downstream products. These include 290230 Cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic hydrocarbons, 290250 Aromatic hydrocarbons, and 390120 Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94, among others. The butene-based compounds are essential for the manufacture of plastics, rubbers, fuels, and other important industrial and consumer goods.