Eastman, Lurgi and SK Chemicals Global Alliance Licenses PTA Technology
Eastman Chemical Company announced that its alliance with Lurgi Oel Gas Chemie GMBH and SK Chemicals has concluded the first license of Eastman's proprietary terephthalic acid (EPTA) technology. The licensee, Zhejiang Hualian Sunshine Petrochemical Industry Co. Ltd., People's Republic of China, has contracted for a 600,000 metric tons plant to be built in Zhejiang Province, PRC.
Engineering work for the plant is to begin immediately. Terms of the license were not disclosed.
EPTA is Eastman's brand for purified terephthalic acid technology and is the primary intermediate used in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for both containers and fibers.
Lurgi has a global exclusive right to license Eastman's EPTA, within an alliance, which combines the strengths of three world-class corporations: Eastman Chemical Company, Lurgi Oel Gas Chemie GmbH and SK Chemicals.
Eastman has manufactured EPTA for its use since 1969, and through Voridian Division, a division of Eastman, today produces more than 450,000 metric tons of EPTA per year at locations in the United States and Europe.
With 40 years of experience, Eastman is the world's largest producer of PET for packaging and has a long history of successful PTA technology. From fibers to packaging, Eastman PTA has the highest yield and purity due to its low consumption of paraxylene and acetic acid. Eastman PET technology results in plants that can be built for lower capital expense while providing lower operating costs.
"Eastman PTA technology marketed with our alliance partners is becoming the obvious choice," said T.A. Smith, group vice president for Eastman's polymers business. "The selection of EPTA technology by Sunshine Hualian for the first terephthalic acid plant in the current build cycle demonstrates the advantages Eastman's technology offers. We are leveraging our polyester technological capability to expand our business relationships and presence in Asia without investing capital to do so."
Lurgi is widely acknowledged for its competence as an engineering, procurement and construction company, as well as a world-class technology provider.
SK has manufactured its own brand of terephthalic acid (SK PTA) since 1989 through license from Eastman and has furthered the technology through continuous research and development efforts. Today, SK produces 420,000 metric tons of SK PTA.
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