Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) has been awarded a United States patent for its method of preparing iso-Butyl Benzene (i-BB), a key intermediate used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The patented process, developed in-house, had previously received recognition through an Indian patent.
The patented method centers on a side-chain alkylation process that converts a low-value captive stream into iso-Butyl Benzene using a specially engineered catalyst. This catalyst, developed at MRPL’s Innovation Centre, is designed to achieve high conversion efficiency and selectivity toward the i-BB product.
Iso-Butyl Benzene is an essential raw material in the synthesis of Brufen (ibuprofen), a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). By developing this production process domestically, MRPL aims to reduce dependence on imported intermediates and enhance self-reliance in pharmaceutical ingredient supply.
As part of its scale-up efforts, MRPL is currently establishing a pilot plant for i-BB production. This facility will support the transition from laboratory development to commercial-scale manufacturing.
The patent and ongoing pilot-scale activities reflect MRPL’s focus on advancing technologies relevant to the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, supporting India’s broader goals in local manufacturing and process innovation.
