ZPC commissions Zhoushan ethylene plant

Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical Co. Ltd., also known as Zhejiang Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (ZPC), has completed startup of a 1.4 million-tonnes/year ethylene plant at its grassroots 800,000-b/d refining and chemical integrated complex in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China (OGJ Online, Nov. 6, 2018; Mar. 16, 2018).

Commissioning of the plant—which is equipped with TechnipFMC PLC’s proprietary Ultra Selective Conversion (USC) U-coil ethylene technology for high energy efficiency and high yield—took only about 3 days to complete, TechnipFMC said on May 4.

Alongside its USC U-coil ethylene cracking technology, TechnipFMC confirmed it also provided other key proprietary technology components for the project, including its heat-integrated rectifier system, ripple trays, and wet-air oxidation process.

The service provider disclosed no further details regarding the newly commissioned plant, and current operating rates at the site could not be confirmed.

The first 400,000-b/d phase of ZPC’s complex was commissioned in late 2018, while Phase 2—which will nearly double processing and production capabilities at the site—is scheduled for commissioning during first-quarter 2021 (OGJ Online, Mar. 12, 2020; Jan. 17, 2019).

ZPC—a joint venture of China-based Rongsheng Holding Group Co. Ltd. 51%, Zhejiang Juhua Investment Co. Ltd. 20%, Zhejiang Tongkun Investment Co. Ltd. 20%, and Zhoushan Marine Comprehensive Development and Investment Co. Ltd.9%—previously said it would invest about 160 billion yuan to complete both phases of the project.

In late 2018, Saudi Aramco also signed a memorandum of understanding with ZPC to acquire ownership interest in the complex (OGJ Online, Oct. 26, 2018).