BASF, Sinopec Move On Nanjing Expansion

BASF and Sinopec have completed a feasibility study begun in 2006 and will proceed with the expansion of their petrochemical complex in Nanjing, China, by 2010. The partners will spend about $900 million, $500 million more than initially envisaged, to boost the capacity of the site's ethylene cracker by 25% to 750,000 metric tons per year. In addition, the two chemical giants will boost ethylene oxide output and build new plants that will produce derivatives. They will also build plants for C₄-based specialty chemicals such as plasticizers and fuel additives. The project further includes a superabsorbent polymers plant and the expansion of existing oxoalcohol and propionic acid plants.