SABIC starts construction of $6.4bn petchem complex in China

SABIC has started construction of its $6.4bn manufacturing complex in Fujian, southern China, said the company.

The SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Complex is located in Gulei Petrochemical Industrial Park. It will include a mixed-feed steam cracker with up to 1.8m tonne/year ethylene (C2) capacity and various downstream units producing ethylene glycols (EG), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC), among other products.

"The project is scheduled to commence the preparation for commissioning and start-up from the second half of 2026," SABIC said in a statement.

SABIC FUJIAN Petrochemicals Company (SFPC) – a 51:49 joint venture between SABIC Industrial Investment Company, a wholly owned SABIC subsidiary, and Fujian Fuhua Gulei Petrochemical – will build and operate the project.

SABIC announced the final investment decision for the project in January this year. China remains as a "very crucial and strategic market for SABIC", SABIC CEO Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh said.

"SABIC will continue to invest in China and collaborat[e] with our local partners to contribute to the country’s high-quality sustainable development,” he said. In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony on 19 February, engineering, procurement and construction contracts as well as a project financing loan agreement for the SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Complex were signed as well.

SABIC’s other major investments in China include three compounding plants in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing; a joint venture with Sinopec in Tianjin; a technology centre in Shanghai and a customer centre office in Guangzhou.

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CITGO Petroleum Corporation, along with longtime Marketer Folk Oil Company, recently launched an electric vehicle charging pilot program designed to meet the needs of EV drivers in Battle Creek, Michigan, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The CITGO location at 15551 11 Mile Road now offers both regular transportation fuel and EV charging stations. For added consumer convenience, EV Chargers include both Charging System (CCS) and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs.

"As a Marketer, we need to provide offerings that meet all types of transportation needs for our consumers," said Jim Linton, President of Folk Oil Company, "so we appreciate how CITGO is approaching the EV space in a way that ensures its Marketers' success. Working together we were able to pinpoint the best location to launch this program."

CITGO devised an internal model to assess the viability of EV sites and collaborated with national electrical company AGI for implementation. The turnkey solutions provider will work with stores throughout the entire process, even facilitating access to available grants via the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the Inflation Reduction Act and U.S. Department of Transportation's Utilities.

Kevin Kinney, CITGO General Manager of Brand Equity, explained how the CITGO approach differs from the conventional industry approach. "Instead of a store receiving a monthly rent for EV Charger installation, the CITGO program provides upfront assistance, while still giving the Marketer full ownership of the installed EV charger."

"In addition to our turnkey solutions, we offer an extensive range of EV charger brands, giving CITGO Marketers the flexibility to choose the best solution for their site," shared Brad Hinkley, Vice President of Business Development for AGI's ELM Division. "With so many moving parts in the EV space, we're here to provide a streamlined program that covers everything from charger selection to post-installation maintenance."

We remind, in early February, Royal Dutch Shell, a prominent Anglo-Dutch oil and gas company, declared force majeure concerning the supply of butadiene to its facility in Norco, Louisiana, USA, said Chemanalyst.
Market reports have confirmed the shutdown of a line with a substantial capacity of 265,000 tonnes of butadiene annually. This operational halt is anticipated to persist at least until the conclusion of February, with the precise cause of the disruption remaining undisclosed.

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The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has taken a pioneering step in the maritime industry by unveiling its groundbreaking requirements tailored specifically for liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) carriers, said Chemanalyst.

This development not only holds significance for the shipping sector but also bears considerable importance in the emerging domain of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The recently published "Requirements for Liquefied Carbon Dioxide Carriers" by ABS is a comprehensive set of standards focusing on the design, construction, and classification of vessels intended for transporting liquefied CO2 (LCO2) as cargo. This initiative signifies a crucial milestone, underscoring the industry's response to the escalating global efforts to capture and store CO2 emissions.

As nations across the globe intensify their endeavors to address climate change, the demand for transporting substantial volumes of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, is on the rise. The critical aspect of this equation involves countries lacking the geological conditions necessary for on-site storage of their emissions. Liquefied CO2 carriers emerge as a vital solution to facilitate the shipment and storage of captured emissions to suitable locations.

The newly established requirements serve as a guide for the industry, offering valuable insights to address the unique challenges associated with the transportation of liquefied CO2. The primary objectives are to ensure the safety of the crew, protect the integrity of the vessel, and minimize environmental risks. ABS, with its extensive experience and standing in the maritime sector, aims to contribute actively to the secure and efficient transport of CO2, aligning with the broader objectives of environmental sustainability and climate action.

The maritime industry, historically known for its role in global trade and transportation, is now adapting to meet the evolving demands of sustainability. The ABS initiative reflects the industry's commitment to providing solutions that align with emerging environmental priorities. Liquefied CO2 carriers, as outlined in these requirements, become instrumental in facilitating the logistical aspects of carbon capture and storage, thereby contributing to the broader objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

ABS's publication of requirements for liquefied CO2 carriers represents a groundbreaking move in the maritime sector, signalling a proactive response to the growing challenges associated with carbon capture and storage. The industry's commitment to developing standards for the safe and efficient transportation of CO2 underscores its role as a key player in advancing sustainable practices. As nations intensify their efforts to combat climate change, initiatives like these pave the way for innovative solutions that address the complex interplay between emissions reduction, transportation, and storage. ABS's leadership in this realm reflects a commitment to driving positive change in the maritime industry and contributing to global sustainability goals.

We remind, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd (MHI), based in Tokyo, has unveiled its involvement in the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for a CO2 capture plant at Padeswood Cement Works in Flintshire, U.K. This initiative, in collaboration with leading global cement manufacturer Heidelberg Materials UK, aims to scrutinize the specifications of the CO2 capture plant, furthering the progress of the Padeswood CCS (carbon capture and storage) project.

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State-owned QatarEnergy has broken ground on the $6 billion Ras Laffan petrochemical complex as part of its downstream expansion strategy, said Agbi.

The Qatari energy firm had signed a final investment decision on the complex with its partner Chevron Pillips Chemical in January last year. The complex will house an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1 million tonnes per annum of ethylene, making it the largest in the world, raising the Gulf nation’s ethylene production capacity by more than 40 percent.

The project includes two polyethylene trains with a combined annual output of 1.7 million tonnes of high-density polyethylene polymer products, raising overall production by about 50 percent. QatarEnergy holds an equity share of 70 percent in the Ras Laffan petrochemical complex, with Chevron Phillips Chemical owning the remaining 30 percent.

The project’s construction, operation, and technology standards are all designed to ensure energy savings, and significantly reduce emissions and hydrocarbon waste compared with similar global facilities, said Saad Al-Kaabi, CEO of QatarEnergy.

He added that the $8.5 billion Golden Triangle polymers plant in Texas, the US, developed in partnership with Chevron Phillips Chemical, will become operational in 2026. Earlier this month, QatarEnergy awarded contracts worth $6 billion for the third development phase at its largest oilfield, Al Shaheen.

Qatar, the world’s third-largest LNG exporter, is increasing its output from 77 million tonnes per year to 126 million by 2027.

We remind, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd (MHI), based in Tokyo, has unveiled its involvement in the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for a CO2 capture plant at Padeswood Cement Works in Flintshire, U.K. This initiative, in collaboration with leading global cement manufacturer Heidelberg Materials UK, aims to scrutinize the specifications of the CO2 capture plant, furthering the progress of the Padeswood CCS (carbon capture and storage) project.

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Topsoe has signed an engineering agreement with Approtium to deliver its proven ammonia cracking technology, H2RETAKE, converting low-carbon ammonia, also referred to as blue ammonia, back into hydrogen, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Topsoe will deliver its technology to Approtium’s landmark project in Ulsan, South Korea. The facility is projected to produce 75,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually, which will support South Korea’s growing need for co-firing in the power generation sector. The project contributes significantly to South Korea’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with 40% in 2030 (2018 as baseline).

Elena Scaltritti, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe, said: "We are excited to embark on this project with Approtium, showcasing not only the potential of our innovative technology, but also the strengths of ammonia as a key energy carrier. Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced drastically on a global scale and through this project, Topsoe delivers a strong contribution to support South Korea’s decarbonization targets."

James Kim, CEO of Approtium, said: "Our ultimate goal has been to provide clean hydrogen to clients and contribute to accelerate carbon neutrality in Korea. This collaboration with Topsoe marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of that goal and signifies our commitment to providing value to both our clients and society."

H2RETAKE is Topsoe’s ammonia cracking technology, designed for the high-efficiency conversion of ammonia into high-purity hydrogen, with an energy efficiency of 96%. It produces high-quality hydrogen suitable for various industrial applications. A unique feature of H2RETAKE is its ability to use off-gases as fuel for the endothermic reaction, enhancing its overall efficiency. It can process any commercial-grade ammonia feed source, demonstrating its adaptability in different operational contexts for hydrogen production.

We remind, Topsoe, a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, has been selected by Essar Oil UK, a leading integrated downstream energy company, to be a technology licensor for its carbon capture facility, based in Stanlow, North West England. Topsoe will deliver its SNOX™ technology for the removal of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, dust and other contaminants from the flue gas emitted in the production process. Topsoe’s technology will be one of a number of integrated licensed solutions supporting Essar’s plant, and will contribute to reducing their CO2 footprint.

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