Case Study: LG Chem achieves 15% higher 1,3‑butadiene capacity and reduced energy use with Aspen Technology's aspenONE suite

LG Chem Significantly Increases Plant Capacity and Reduces Energy Usage

LG Chem, the largest chemical enterprise in Korea, tasked its Yeosu plant with increasing 1,3‑butadiene production and cutting site‑wide energy use without major equipment replacements. To meet this challenge, LG Chem engaged Aspen Technology and used the aspenONE Engineering suite—including Aspen Plus, Aspen Energy Analyzer, and Aspen Exchanger Design and Rating—to model, debottleneck and analyze the process.

Aspen Technology helped LG Chem rerate equipment, debottleneck the extractive distillation column and fractionator, and implement heat‑integration changes; the project delivered a 15% overall increase in 1,3‑butadiene capacity (13% and 17% gains on the two key columns), eliminated nearly all imports of 1,3‑butadiene, lowered a solvent loop outlet temperature from 70°C to 51°C, reduced cold utility needs and cut excessive steam venting—achieving significant energy and cost savings.

LG Chem

Sungchul Yoo

General Manager