BASF and Sinopec consider further expansion of Nanjing joint venture

30-May-13

BASF and Sinopec are considering the extension of their Nanjing joint venture BASF-YPC Company Limited with the expansion of existing ethylene oxide (EO) production, and a new plant for neopentylglycol (NPG). BASF-YPC will further expand its acrylic acid value chain with additional acrylic acid and butyl acrylate plants. Production is expected to commence in 2014. Together with the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) plant, now under construction and also expected to begin production in 2014, BASF-YPC Company will enhance its support to the home care and hygiene industries as well as the coatings, textiles, and construction industries. “With expanded production of important basic chemicals including NPG and EO, our new world-scale acrylic acid facility, and our butyl acrylate and SAP plants, BASF can further strengthen its production base in the C2 and C3 value chains. These are the starting points for the full range of innovative solutions we offer to nearly every industry. This underlines our confidence in the development of the Asia Pacific and China markets,” said Dr. Albert Heuser, President Greater China and Functions Asia Pacific, BASF. The partners are considering an expansion of the site’s ethylene oxide unit, which has an existing capacity of 330,000 metric tpa. EO is a basic chemical mainly used for the production of ethylene glycol, and also for the production of surfactants for washing and cleaning agents, and as a raw material for the production of ethanolamines, glycol ethers and polyurethanes. Additionally under consideration is a new neopentylglycol unit. NPG is a unique polyalcohol offering superior performance advantages in many end-use applications, due to its high chemical and thermal stability. It is mainly used as a building block in polyester resins for coatings, unsaturated polyesters, lubricants and plasticizers. As the global market leader for NPG, BASF is the only company in the world that has production facilities in Europe, North America, and Asia. As its production benefits from backward integration, BASF offers its customers high delivery reliability.