Tianjin ethylene plant to start full operations

China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. (Sinpoec) and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) said it has started testing equipment at an ethylene plant in the city of Tianjin which will be ready to start full operations in November. The facility is a 50-50 joint venture between SABIC and Sinopec. It is expected to be able to produce four million tons per year of petrochemicals, including 1.2 million tons of ethylene when it comes partially onstream in September. (April 20, 2009)