STYRENE

STYRENE, polystyrene monomer. Contained in styrax; found in stone & lignite resins, organic compounds (incl. petroleum hydrocarbons) thermal destruction products. Styrene production was mastered in Bashkortostan, in 1968, at the Industrial Complex No.18 (ref. Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat) making use of imported ethylbenzene, and, in 1969, by catalytic dehydrogenation in the gaseous phase at 580–650°C of domestic raw materials. Modernization of the Complex facilities was accomplished in 2003. Used in the manufacture of styrenebutadiene synthetic rubbers, ABS-plastics (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), SAN‑polymers (styrene-acrylonitrile), vinyl chloride copolymers; S. – alkyd resins modifier and solvent of polyester resins, etc. The RB ranks 2nd (26.7%) in the output of S. in the RF (2017).