Sinopec starts up 170ktpa synthetic rubber plant

Beijing – Chinese energy and chemicals giant Sinopec has announced the start-up of a major styrene butadiene copolymers (SBCs) plant in Hainan, China.

The Yuan1.924 billion (€256 million) project is operated by a joint venture between Baling New Material and Sinopec subsidiary Hainan Refining & Chemical Co.

The facilty has the capacity to produce 170 kilotonne per annum (ktpa) of SBC elastomers, according to Sinopec's 10 April announcement.

This includes a 120ktpa styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) plant and a unit to manufacture 50ktpa of styrene ethylene butadiene styrene (SEBS) products.

With the launch of production, Sinopec said it will have the “world’s largest”  capacity to manufature such elastomers.

The facility uses Sinopec's ‘self-developed’ SBS and SEBS production technology, which includes “clean manufacturing” process capabilities.

It combines Hainan Refining & Chemical's styrene and butadiene with Baling New Material's technologies, according to Sinopec.

Furthermore, it said, Hainan’s free trade zone will help the unit minimise raw material and transportation costs and optimise revenue.

Output from the facility will mainly go for export to European, southeast Asian and south Asian markets, added Sinopec.