BASF in JV with Sinopec to build new plant in Maoming

23-Jan-13

BASF plans to build a new plastics plant with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) in Maoming, south China. The two partners have completed a joint feasibility study for a giant isononanol plant. INA is used as feedstock for the production of next generation plasticizers, including diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and non-phthalate plasticizer Hexamoll DINCH. A new 50-50 joint venture will be formed, named BASF MPCC Co. Ltd., to operate it. Production is scheduled to begin at the site in mid-2015. Pre-approval has been received from the Maoming Administration of Industry and Commerce for the name of the venture. The partners expect to begin production at the new plant around the middle of 2015. The full integration of the new INA plant into the existing petrochemical site of MPCC in Maoming will allow for a comprehensive system for managing energy as well as minimizing water use, emissions, and waste. The approval process has begun for the environmental impact assessment. “The completion of the joint feasibility study marks an important milestone for our INA business, helping us serve the increasing demand for next-generation plasticizers in China. Integration into the MPCC operations also allows for a very competitive feedstock supply,” said Dr. Albert Heuser, president of the Asia-Pacific region for BASF.