BASF and SINOPEC to further expand their Verbund site in Nanjing, China

BASF and SINOPEC will further expand their Verbund site operated by BASF-YPC Co., Ltd. (BASF-YPC), a 50-50 joint venture of both companies in Nanjing, China. It includes the capacity expansion of several downstream chemical plants, including a new tert-butyl acrylate plant to support the growing Chinese market.

The partners will expand the production capacities of propionic acid, propionic aldehyde, ethyleneamines, ethanolamines and purified ethylene oxide, and build a new tert-butyl acrylate plant. The tert-butyl acrylate plant will be an extension to the downstream using acrylic acid and isobutene of the existing Verbund as feedstock, which marks the first time this advanced production technology is applied outside of Germany. The expanded and new plants are planned to come on stream in 2023.

“SINOPEC and BASF have carried out in-depth and friendly cooperation for a long time, earnestly implemented relevant requirements of the national and local governments to accelerate the transformation and green development of the petrochemical industry, continuously optimized the industrial structure, and promoted further extension of the industrial chain to the downstream,” said Mr. Yuefeng Gu, Chairman of Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Company Limited and BASF-YPC Company Limited. “With the expansion of the Verbund site, we will provide more high-end new materials for the domestic market to meet the growing needs of domestic customers and the development of emerging industries.”

“This is a substantial step forward since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018 to further strengthen our long-term partnership with SINOPEC,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, President and Chairman of BASF Greater China. “With the envisioned investment bundle, we will introduce state-of-the-art technologies and use the Verbund advantages to the fullest.”

“Tert-butyl acrylate as a new product in our portfolio will further strengthen the market position of BASF-YPC,” said Bram Jansen, President of BASF-YPC. “Based on the 20-year success, we are expanding the local capacities to better meet the continually rising demand of our customers.”

Propionic acid (PA) is used as a mold inhibitor for the preservation of food and feed grains. It offers strong economic and ecological benefits over preservation through drying or storage in air-tight silos. It is also used in the production of pharmaceuticals, crop protection agents, solvents and thermoplastics.

Ethyleneamines (EEA) and Ethanolamines (EOA) are intermediates used in the manufacture of crop protection agents, surfactants for personal and home care products, process chemicals for gas treatment, lubricants and cement additives, paper chemicals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Propionic aldehyde (PALD) is an intermediate used as key raw material for propionic acid and n-propanol production. It is mainly used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, insecticides, fragrances and plastics.

Purified ethylene oxide (PEO) is a raw material for industrial applications and is often used in synthesis processes of chemical industry. It is used in the manufacturing of ethanolamines, glycol ethers and surfactants for washing and cleaning agents.

Tert-butyl acrylate (TBA) is an acrylic acid ester for manufacturing polymers and is used as a feedstock for syntheses. As a specialty chemical it is used in paper sizing and emulsion applications.