Sinopec targets ethylene production

China Petrochemical Corp. (Sinopec Group) has set a target to increase ethylene production capacity to 10.70 million tons per year by 2012, about 70% more than the current capacity, reported Sinopec-run China Petrochemical News. Sinopec said its ethylene production capacity in 2008 was 6.295 million tons, while the national total is 10 million tons. China’s ethylene demand has been fueled by the booming economy, with anticipated demand to reach 25 million tons by 2010, far more than the estimated production capacity of 14.5 million tons, according to the report. (December 3, 2008)