BASF and Sinopec have completed the $1.4bn second phase of the Nanjing investment, bringing chemicals to the Chinese market that could support the development of sustainable local industries.
The petrochemical project included the expansion of existing plants as well as the construction of new facilities.
As part of the project, an existing steam cracker was expanded to 740,000t/year of ethylene and existing ethylene oxide plant to 330,000t/year.
A new ethylene oxide purification unit with a capacity of 150,000t/year was also built.
New plants in the expanded ethylene oxide derivatives value chain include a new non-ionic surfactants plant, and a new amines complex for the production of ethanolamines, ethyleneamines and dimethylethanolamine.
The construction of a new DMA3 plant with a capacity of 25,000t/year was also included in the project.
The site has an integrated C4 complex, consisting of a new butadiene extraction plant, an isobutene extraction plant, a new plant for highly reactive polyisobutene and a 2-propyl-heptanol plant.
The existing oxo-C4 plant has now been expanded to 305,000t/year, the company said.
BASF vice-chairman of the board of executive directors Martin Brudermuller said that the company is investing in advanced production technologies that use less water, save energy and reduce emissions.
Sinopec vice president and board member Dai Houliang said that BASF-YPC will continue expanding its product portfolio and providing crucial chemicals to the growing demands in China.
BASF and Sinopec are expected to jointly explore the further expansion of BASF-YPC, with investments under consideration totalling $1bn.
The construction of a superabsorbent polymer plant with a capacity of 60,000t/year is expected to begin in 2012, with commercial production scheduled for 2014.
The construction of a new acrylic acid facility, a new butyl acrylate plant and a capacity increase at the 2-propyl-heptanol plant are also included in the future projects.
