Kunming PX plant's environment risk 'acceptable': CNPC

28 Jun '13

2 min read

The environmental risk posed by the proposed paraxylene (PX) project to be set up in Yunnan province’s Kunming is ‘acceptable’, concludes a report released by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

The 26-page environmental assessment report draws its conclusion based on the project’s likely influence on the area’s environment, and after studying the emergency plans and risk prevention measures that would be adopted by the project, according to Global Times.

CNPC has released its report after Kunming city witnessed two major protests in May this year against the planned construction of 500,000 tons PX plant in Anning city of Kunming.

The report released on the website of CNPC says the environmental risks associated with the project are acceptable and all pollutants discharged by the plant can either be recycled or filtered to be made harmless, according to China Daily.

Meanwhile, the environmental protection bureau in Kunming said it would make all efforts to supervise the construction of CNPC’s refinery-cum-PX plant, both during and post-construction.

The bureau promised to release information on the progress of construction once in every three months.

In recent years, many large protests have been staged in China against several petrochemical projects.

In November last year, a petrochemical project was called off by the government in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, after several days of street protests.

In 2011, citizens protested in Dalian, Liaoning province after the authorities announced plans to set up a PX plant there.

PX is a petrochemical by-product that is used as a raw material in the production of polyester fabrics. Environmental concerns are often raised as PX is considered carcinogenic.

China is currently the world’s largest PX consumer with annual demand pegged at 13.85 million tons. The country is investing in increasing its production capacity as its current capacity of around 9 million tons is less than its demand.

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