Sasol opens new alkoxylation plant in China

Located at the Nanjing Jiangbei New Material Hi-Tech Park (formerly known as Nanjing Chemical Industrial Park), construction of the 35-acre site commenced in June 2017 and the plant reached beneficial operation in April this year. The plant will expand Sasol's current alkoxylation capability to approximately 150 kilotons per annum (ktpa), with additional facilities for the production of anionic surfactants.

The new plant can operate using either branched or linear alcohols to meet the differentiated customer requirements in various applications including textile and leather, personal care, and paints and coatings.

"Our expansion in China underpins our chemicals business ambitions to diversify geographically, participate in high-growth markets and grow in differentiated applications. For more than 25 years, we have been active in providing high-quality surfactants in China, where we see ongoing shifts towards high value and differentiated segments," said Bongani Nqwababa, joint president and CEO of Sasol.

"I am confident this expansion will enable us to better support local customer requirements and our pursuit for continued long-term growth in the world's most important emerging market," he added.

"Comprising state-of-the-art process technology, the plant will operate to the highest standards of operational safety, reliability and flexibility. Furthermore, this technology allows us to minimise environmental impacts in full compliance with stringent environmental protection measures set by the government," said Shentu Hongxing, vice president Operations China and managing director Sasol China. "We look forward to making a larger contribution to both the regional economy and a greener environment – all while continuing to serve our customers with high quality tailored solutions." (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India