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

Top Quote BASF and SINOPEC today inaugurated the $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. End Quote
  • (1888PressRelease) January 11, 2012 - “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,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, 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 re-using by-products,” he continued.

    “With the smooth completion of the second phase of Nanjing investment, BASF-YPC has once again set an excellent example of SINOPEC’s international partnerships and paved ways for further prosperous developments between BASF and SINOPEC. We are confident BASF-YPC will continue expanding its product portfolio and providing crucial chemicals to the growing demands in China while contributing to a sustainable future," said Dr. Dai Houliang, BOD Member and Vice President of SINOPEC.

    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 740,000 metric tons per year of ethylene, along with the expansion of the existing ethylene oxide (EO) plant to 330,000 metric tons per year, and the construction of a new EO purification unit with a capacity of 150,000 metric tons per year. New plants in the expanded EO derivatives value chain include a new non-ionic surfactants plant with a capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year; a new amines complex with a capacity of 130,000 metric tons per year for the production of ethanolamines, ethyleneamines, and dimethylethanolamine; and the construction of a new DMA3 plant with a capacity of 25,000 metric tons per year.

    The site now has an integrated C4 complex comprised of a new butadiene extraction plant with a capacity of 130,000 metric tons per year; a new isobutene extraction plant with a capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year; a new plant for highly reactive polyisobutene with a capacity of 50,000 metric tons per year; and a new 2-propyl-heptanol plant with a capacity of 80,000 metric tons per year.

    The existing oxo-C4 plant has now been expanded to 305,000 metric tons per year.

    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 totaling approximately $1 billion.

    Construction of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) plant with a capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year 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.

    About SINOPEC
    Sinopec Corp. is a Chinese company listed in Hong Kong, New York, London and Shanghai. The Company is an integrated energy and chemical company with upstream, midstream and downstream operations. The principal operations of Sinopec Corp. and its subsidiaries include: exploring, developing, producing and trading crude oil and natural gas; processing crude oil into refined oil products; producing, trading, transporting, distributing and marketing refined oil products; and producing and distributing chemical products. Based on 2010 turnover, Sinopec Corp. is the largest listed company in China. The Company is one of the largest crude oil and petrochemical companies in China and Asia. It is also one of the largest gasoline, diesel and jet fuel and other major chemical products producers and distributors in China and Asia.

    About BASF
    BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

    About BASF-YPC Company Limited
    BASF-YPC Co. , Ltd. is a 50-50 joint venture between BASF and Sinopec, founded in 2000, with a total investment of $2.9 billion in the first phase. The groundbreaking for the site, located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, took place on September 28, 2001. BASF-YPC Co. , Ltd. successfully started commercial production at a steam cracker as well as nine downstream plants in June 2005. These plants are interconnected in order to use products, by-products and energy in the most efficient way, to save cost and minimize environmental impact. The site produces high-quality chemicals and polymers for the rapidly growing Chinese market. The site also has a gas-fired power plant and an international port on a tributary of the Yangtze River to ensure optimum energy supply and logistics.

    Media contacts

    BASF
    Jennifer Moore-Braun
    Phone: +49 621 60 99123
    jennifer.moore-braun ( @ ) basf dot com

    SINOPEC
    Yan Huirong
    Phone: +86 10 5996 9722
    hryan ( @ ) sinopec dot com

    In Asia
    Genevieve Hilton
    Phone: +852 2731 0197
    Mobile: +852 9025 9857
    genevieve.hilton ( @ ) basf dot com

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