Celanese signs MOU with Wison to supply syngas

Celanese Corp., a global technology and specialty materials company, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Wison (China) Holding Co., Ltd., a Chinese synthesis gas supplier, for production of certain feedstocks used in Celanese’s advanced ethanol production process. The announcement was made in conjunction with Chinese President Hu Jintao’s recent state visit to Washington, D.C. and a U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored signing ceremony recognizing key U.S.-China energy projects. The Department of Energy signing ceremony was coordinated by the U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP), a private sector-led organization that facilitates the adoption of clean energy technologies in China and leverages business resources in the U.S. and China to promote commercially viable project development work in clean energy and energy efficiency. Celanese previously announced its intention to construct manufacturing facilities in China that will use its newly developed and proprietary advanced technology to produce industrial ethanol. Celanese intends to construct one, and possibly two, ethanol complexes in China to serve the fast-growing demand in Asia. Celanese estimates it will initially invest approximately US$300 million to build the first production unit in China. It is estimated that more than 1,250 jobs will be created in China to support the construction, operation and supply infrastructure of the first ethanol plant. (January 21, 2011)