BP p.l.c. (London; www.bp.com) celebrated the official startup of the Phase 3 purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant of Zhuhai Chemical Co., enhancing its position in the purified terephthalic acid market and its longterm commitment in China.
BP Zhuhai, in which BP and Zhuhai Port Co. hold an 85% and 15% stake respectively, is the leading Sino-foreign joint venture producing and marketing PTA in China.
The completed Phase 3 plant, with a design production capacity of 1.25 million metric tons per year (m.t./yr), is said to be the world’s largest single-train PTA unit.
Commenting on the investment in Zhuhai, Edward Yang, president of BP China, said: “BP Zhuhai is a good example of our long-term commitment in Guangdong province, which accounts for a large proportion of our investment in China. We look forward to playing a greater and more active role in the progression of the ‘Green Guangdong Agenda’ by providing our significant experience and expertise in clean energy and energy efficiency.”
Zhuhai Phase 3 is the first site to use BP’s most recent version of its PTA technology. Compared with conventional technology, Zhuhai 3 is highly energy efficient and delivers 95% lower solid waste, 65% lower greenhouse gas emissions and 75% lower water discharge, therefore bringing benefits both for society and the company.
Nick Elmslie, chief executive of BP’s Petrochemical Business, said: “Technology is one of the key drivers for BP’s success. And this latest unit employs BP’s most advanced PTA manufacturing technology that will enable us to deliver high-quality products to our customers with higher operational efficiency and environmental performance.”
PTA is the essential raw material for making polyesters, and is extensively used in producing textiles, packaging and film products.