Construction of AkzoNobel's manufacturing unit for ethylene amines in China progresses

 

As earlier announced, in response to increasing market demand, AkzoNobel is installing production capacity for ethylene amines in Ningbo, China, including capacity for required volumes of ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine (MEA).

In conjunction with setting up production capacity and for the purpose of effectively carrying out the Chinese Ethylene Amines business, a new company, Akzo Nobel Ethylene Amines China Ltd, has been established and achieved its business license on December 3.

Construction of the plants has started and is progressing according to plan. AkzoNobel is committed to an expedient project execution. Start up is scheduled for the third quarter 2010.

 

A groundbreaking ceremony took place in Ningbo, China, on March 6, 2008.

Chinese representatives of the Ningbo multi-site as well as regional and local authorities participated together with representatives of AkzoNobe Functional Chemicals. General Manager Christina Tenfält represented Ethylene Amines.

On March 6, a supply agreement was signed with Sinopec, local supplier of ethylene.

Akzo Nobel Ethylene Amines Project Progress

 

The Akzo Nobel project concerning the building of a new manufacturing unit for Ethylene Amines in China, is progressing according to plan. Production start-up is scheduled for the beginning of 2010.

Several important steps were recently taken; the selection of Foster-Wheeler as EPCM contractor for the Ethanol/Ethylene Amines plants and procurement of long lead time equipment, such as the EO reactor for which IHI (Japan) was awarded the contract.

The project includes building a world-scale production unit for Ethylene Amines such as EDA, DETA, AEEA and piperazine, as well as plants for the manufacture of required volumes of EO and Ethanol Amines. The Ethanol- and Ethylene Amines plants are based on Akzo Nobel's proprietary EO based technology, which fits well with Asian - and Chinese in particular - product mix demand, and also provides superior HSE performance. Scientific Design (US) has been chosen as technology provider for the Ethylene Oxide plant.

The plant will be established on Akzo Nobel's multisite in Ningbo Chemicals Industrial Zone (NCIZ) in South East China, which in time is expected to become one of the company's largest production premises globally. In combination with Akzo Nobel's existing production facilities in Sweden and Germany, the Ningbo plant will further strengthen the Company's position as a world leading supplier of the full range of Ethylene Amines and its commitment to support future customer needs.

The infrastructure and geographic location of NCIZ, with direct access to sea port, enables effective logistics for main raw materials as well as finished goods. The combination of existing road, railway and seaway infrastructure makes it an ideal location with respect to the Chinese customers for Ethylene Amines, which are predominantly found in the Eastern and Southern parts of the country. The new plant will increase Akzo Nobel's service level and security of supply, in particular to its customers in China and in the rest of Asia.

Ethylene Amines are intermediates used in the manufacture of numerous substances and end products related to everyday human well-being in areas such as healthcare, detergents, textile softeners, polymer additives, paper wet-strength resins, crop protection, etc.