BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) broke ground on the construction of their isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. Scheduled for start-up in 2015, the plant, which is the first of its kind in China, will serve the increasing market demand for next-generation plasticisers. A newly formed 50-50 joint venture company, BASF MPCC Company, has been created.
“High quality and reliable plasticisers help underpin industrial growth, and with this plant, we will be well positioned to serve China’s growing demands. Additionally, this project brings us a step closer to BASF’s strategic goal to better serve local industries with local production in Asia Pacific of approximately 75% by 2020. The new joint venture with SINOPEC also solidifies our already strong partnership, and demonstrates BASF’s long-term commitment to China,” said Dr Albert Heuser, President, Functions Asia Pacific, President and Chairman, Greater China, BASF.
INA is used as the feedstock for the production of next generation plasticisers, including diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and non-phthalate plasticiser Hexamoll DINCH. DINP is widely used as a plasticiser in industrial applications such as automotive, wires, building and construction, while Hexamoll DINCH is BASF’s non-phthalate plasticiser for sensitive applications, including toys as well as food contact and medical applications.
