Partners expect construction of a 60,000tpa SAP plant to begin in mid-2012, with completion scheduled for 2014.

BASF and Sinopec today inaugurated the US$1.4 billion second phase of their integrated petrochemical site in Nanjing, bringing crucial chemicals to the China market that will support the development of more sustainable local industries.

“Through this successful partnership, we are able to bring vital chemical products and solutions to China that will directly support local industries as they strive to meet the needs of a rapidly developing population,” says Dr. Martin Brudermüller, vice-chairman of the board of executive directors of BASF, responsible for Asia-Pacific.

“At the same time we are also investing in advanced production technologies that themselves use less water, save energy and reduce emissions. The Nanjing site is a flagship example of our Verbund system, which achieves extremely efficient production and safety by clustering plants and reusing by-products,” he adds.
 
On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony, the partners also announced further plans for the expansion of the site.
 
Second phase completed
The second phase, inaugurated today, includes expansions of existing plants and construction of new facilities.
 
The existing steam cracker has been expanded to a total of 740,000tpa of ethylene, along with the expansion of the existing ethylene oxide (EO) plant to 330,000tpa, and the construction of a new EO purification unit with a capacity of 150,000tpa. New plants in the expanded EO derivatives value chain include a new non-ionic surfactants plant with a capacity of 60,000tpa; a new amines complex with a capacity of 130,000tpa for the production of ethanolamines, ethyleneamines, and dimethylethanolamine; and the construction of a new DMA3 plant with a capacity of 25,000tpa.
 
The site now has an integrated C4 complex comprising a new butadiene extraction plant with a capacity of 130,000tpa; a new isobutene extraction plant with a capacity of 60,000tpa; a new plant for highly reactive polyisobutene with a capacity of 50,000tpa; and a new 2-propyl-heptanol plant with a capacity of 80,000tpa.
 
The existing oxo-C4 plant has now been expanded to 305,000tpa.
 
Further development of new projects
BASF and Sinopec signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2010 to jointly explore the further expansion of BASF-YPC, with new investments under consideration collectively totalling approximately US$1 billion.
 
Construction of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) plant with a capacity of 60,000tpa will begin in mid-2012. Commercial production is planned for the beginning of 2014.
 
New projects to strengthen the C3 and C4 value chains include the construction of a new acrylic acid facility with a capacity of 160,000tpa, a new butyl acrylate plant, as well as a capacity increase at the 2-propyl-heptanol plant.