BASF and Sinopec complete second phase of Nanjing investment and announce new plans for expansion

BASF and Sinopec celebrate the inauguration of their phase two investment in Nanjing

The second phase includes expansions of existing plants and construction of new facilities. The existing steam cracker has been expanded to a total of 740,000 t/y of ethylene, along with the expansion of the existing ethylene oxide (EO) plant to 330,000 t/y, and the construction of a new EO purification unit with a capacity of 150,000 t/y. New plants in the expanded EO derivatives value chain include a new non-ionic surfactants plant with a capacity of 60,000 t/y; a new amines complex with a capacity of 130,000 t/y for the production of ethanolamines, ethyleneamines, and dimethylethanolamine; and the construction of a new DMA3 plant with a capacity of 25,000 t/y.

The site now has an integrated C4 complex comprised of a new butadiene extraction plant with a capacity of 130,000 t/y; a new isobutene extraction plant with a capacity of 60,000 t/y; a new plant for highly reactive polyisobutene with a capacity of 50,000 t/y; and a new 2-propyl-heptanol plant with a capacity of 80,000 t/y. The existing oxo-C4 plant has now been expanded to 305,000 t/y.

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 USD 1 billion.

Construction of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) plant with a capacity of 60,000 t/y 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 160,000 tons per year, a new butyl acrylate plant, as well as a capacity increase at the 2-propyl-heptanol plant.