BASF-YPC Company Ltd. to increase DMF capacity in Nanjing, China

21-May-2003

BASF-YPC Company Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Germany, and Sinopec, China, has decided to increase the annual capacity of the dimethylformamide (DMF) plant currently being constructed at its Integrated Petrochemical Site (IPS) in Nanjing, China by 10,000 to 40,000 metric tons. The capacity increase is due to the rapidly growing demand in China, which accounts for more than 50% demand in the important Asian market.

The DMF plant is currently in the detailed engineering phase and will be well integrated into the IPS Verbund production structure, which also produces the required raw materials - methylamines and syngas. The DMF plant is expected to come on stream in the beginning of 2005.

DMF is a highly suitable solvent for the production of synthetic leather, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and spandex fibers, and the synthesis of intermediates for pharmaceutical or crop protection products. In addition, it is also used as an extraction agent in petrochemical processes.

BASF-YPC Company Ltd. is a 50:50 joint venture between BASF and SINOPEC. Using state-of-the-art technology, the joint venture will build and operate a steam cracker (600,000 metric tons ethylene per year) and nine downstream plants on its 220 hectare site on the Yangtze River. With a total investment of $2.9 billion (including utilities), BASF-YPC Company Ltd. is currently the largest Sino-German joint venture in China. Construction of the site by international contractors has already started and is proceeding on schedule. The site is expected to begin commercial operations in 2005 and will produce about 1.7 million metric tons of high quality chemicals and polymers per year to serve the domestic market.

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Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.

15+ products
4 whitepaper
15+ brochures