CPDC gets approval to build coal-to-chemicals project

Taiwan-based China Petrochemical Development Corporation (CPDC) has received approval by the relevant Chinese department to establish a plant on Mainland China to build a coal-to-chemicals plant in North Chinas Hebei Province, company sources revealed. Coal will be used as the raw material to produce other fuels and coal-based chemicals like methanol. Diesel fuel, petrol and aircraft fuel are usually clean energy end-products of coal-to-chemical plants. CPDC became the last group of enterprises that have been approved to build coal-to-chemical plants in Mainland China. China Petrochemical Development Corporation plans to invest a maximum of US$100 million in the plant and is likely to seek a partner. (August 2, 2007)