The Foundation Stone Was Laid for The New Project of Sinopec And BASF Integrated Base

On April 28, Sinopec and BASF laid the foundation stone for the expansion project of the integrated production base in Nanjing. The integrated base is operated by Yangzi Petrochemical-BASF Co., Ltd., which is jointly invested by the two parties in a 50:50 share ratio. The expansion project includes a new set of tert-butyl acrylate (TBA) plant and the expansion of several downstream chemical plants. After the project is completed, it will meet the growing Chinese market demand.

"The success of Yangzi Petrochemical-BASF fully demonstrates the good cooperation between Sinopec and BASF," said Yu Baocai, President of Sinopec Corp., "The expansion project will increase the scale and variety of Yangzi Petrochemical-BASF's high-end products. The competitive advantage will be further enhanced.”

Dr. Markus Kamieth, member of the Executive Board of BASF Europe, said: "As one of BASF's most successful joint ventures in the world, Yangzi Petrochemical-BASF has always excelled in safety and business operations. This is thanks to Sinopec and BASF. More than 20 years of mutual trust and cooperation. Through this expansion, the two parties will further strengthen the partnership.”

The two parties will expand the production capacity of propionic acid (PA), propionaldehyde (PALD), vinylamine (EEA), ethanolamine (EOA) and refined ethylene oxide (PEO) at the site and build a new tert-butyl acrylate (TBA) unit . The TBA plant will use the acrylic acid and isobutylene of the integrated base as raw materials to extend downstream. This is the first time this production process has been applied outside of Germany. This round of expansion and new facilities will be put into operation by the end of 2023.

Gu Yuefeng, Chairman of Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and Yangzi Petrochemical-BASF Co., Ltd., said: "China's petrochemical industry has entered a stage of high-quality development. With the support of all parties, we will insist on promoting the construction of expansion projects with first-class standards. , make every effort to build a world-class modern petrochemical base, promote the transformation and upgrading of the petrochemical industry, and make greater contributions to local economic and social development."

Dr. Lou Jianfeng, Chairman and President of BASF Greater China, said: "We will use the world's advanced technology to build the expansion project of the integrated base in Nanjing, which will enable us to further enhance our competitive advantage in the dynamic Chinese market and continue to compete with The partners work together to promote the sustainable development of the petrochemical industry.”

Propionic acid (PA) is a mold inhibitor used to protect food and feed grains. It has considerable economical and ecological benefits in the storage of food and feed grains by drying or keeping in airtight silos. It is also used in the production of pharmaceuticals, crop protection agents, solvents and thermoplastics.

Ethanolamine (EOA) as well as ethyleneamine (EEA) are surfactants used in the production of crop protection agents, personal and home care products, process chemicals for gas treatment, lubricant and cement additives, paper chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients the intermediate.

Propionaldehyde (PALD), as an intermediate, is used as a key raw material for the production of propionic acid and n-propanol. It is mainly used to produce medicines, pesticides, fragrances and plastics.

Refined Ethylene Oxide (PEO) is an industrially-applied raw material commonly used in chemical industry synthesis processes to manufacture ethanolamines, glycol ethers and surfactants for the production of washing and detergent products.

Tert-butyl acrylate (TBA) is an acrylate used in the production of polymers and is used as a synthetic raw material. As a specialty chemical, it can be used in paper sizing and emulsification applications.