Hainan Handi Sunshine licenses ExxonMobil’s catalytic lubes de-waxing technology

Hainan Handi Sunshine Petrochemical Co., Ltd. has signed a technology licensing agreement with Honeywell UOP and ExxonMobil to produce clean jet fuel, diesel fuel, Group II and Group III lubricating base oils.

This is the first project in China for the joint marketing alliance between Honeywell UOP and ExxonMobil for premium fuels and lubricants. Honeywell UOP’s Unicracking™ technology and ExxonMobil’s MSDW™ catalytic lubes de-waxing technology will be installed at Hainan Handi Sunshine’s Hainan, China facility.

“The combination of UOP’s hydroprocessing solutions and ExxonMobil’s catalytic dewaxing technology provides a single, integrated solution for Handi Sunshine to produce fuels and lubes,” said Mike Millard, vice president and general manager of Honeywell UOP’s Process Technology & Equipment business. “This will help meet the growing demand in China for motor oil as well as ultra-low sulphur diesel and jet fuel.”

“The number of automobiles in China reached nearly 300 million in 2015 and is forecast to reach 600 million by 2025,” said Dave Andrew, vice president of ExxonMobil’s Catalysts and Licensing global business. “The rapid growth of new automobiles in China is driving growth in demand for premium lube oil, which underscores the importance of this technology.”

Honeywell UOP’s Unicracking process and catalysts upgrade heavy fractions of crude oil to produce ultra-clean distillate products – such as diesel and jet fuel – as well as feedstock to make lube oils. The business has been developing and licensing hydroprocessing solutions – including advanced catalysts and specialty equipment – for more than 50 years, with more than 200 units licensed in more than 40 countries.

ExxonMobil’s MSDW process is the industry-leading technology for selective de-waxing to make high quality base oils, with 30 licensed units in operation or under design. The technology uses proprietary catalysts designed to reduce pour point and achieve very high levels of aromatics saturation to deliver base oils with excellent low-temperature properties and long-term stability.

Hainan Handi Sunshine Petrochemical Co., Ltd. was founded in 2006 in China’s Hainan Yangpu Economic Development Zone. Its products include  Group II and Group III base oils, insulating oils, industrial-grade white oils, cosmetic white oils and other types of special oils.