BASF, Sinopec to further expand Nanjing JV

BASF-YPC, BASF and Sinopec have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the further expansion of their integrated petrochemical joint venture, BASF-YPC Co. Ltd. The new projects under consideration will extend the C3 and C4 value chains, including the construction of a new acrylic acid facility with a capacity of 160,000 tons per year, a new butyl acrylate plant, as well as capacity increases at the 2-propyl-heptanol, styrene monomer and non-ionic surfactants plants. The superabsorbent polymers (SAP) plant, to be constructed as the final part of the on-going expansion project, will be supplied with feedstock from the acrylic acid facility. A new world-scale hydrogen peroxide-propylene oxide (HPPO) facility is also included in the new investments under consideration. The new investments under consideration collectively total approximately US$1 billion. (December 17, 2010)