Sinopec Celebrates Successful Completion of China's Largest Petrochemical Complex
In a significant development for the petrochemical industry, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, better known as Sinopec, recently announced the mechanical completion of the second phase of its expansion project at the Zhenhai Refinery in Ningbo, China. This landmark achievement marks the conclusion of an extensive investment endeavor valued at approximately 41.6 billion CNY, placing Sinopec firmly at the forefront of innovation, intelligent manufacturing, and energy efficiency in large-scale industrial projects.
With this latest expansion, the total refinery capacity has been increased to an impressive 40 million tons per year, pushing the overall petrochemical capacity to over 50 million tons annually. This enhancement not only solidifies Sinopec's position as China's largest and most advanced petrochemical complex but also strengthens its competitive edge on the global stage.
The Ningbo Petrochemical Industrial Base, located within the Yangtze River Delta— a vital hub for downstream product consumption—plays a crucial role in Sinopec's value chain. The expansion project comprises 18 production units, including state-of-the-art facilities for atmospheric distillation, catalytic cracking, polypropylene production, and propane dehydrogenation. By emphasizing chemical processes, this project aims to facilitate the creation of multiple high-value supply chains.
The upgraded facility is anticipated to generate around 8 million tons of petrochemical products annually. This increased output will significantly augment the supply chain capacities for various industries, including automotive, household appliances, and textiles, thereby potentially generating trillions of Yuan in industrial value added in both upstream and downstream sectors.
Technological innovation and sustainability have been key focal points throughout the project. Significant advancements include the localization of ten core technologies, notably the world’s highest capacity vertical labyrinth compressor. Additionally, the project has embraced intelligent technologies that allow for the integration of digital and physical manufacturing processes.
Sinopec has also implemented a fully localized industrial operating system along with a self-developed industrial internet platform, which enhances decision-making and operational management capabilities. Furthermore, comprehensive energy-saving measures have resulted in a total energy consumption reduction of 11.7%.
Safety and quality remain paramount, with the project achieving over 90 million consecutive safe working hours and attaining a 100% quality rate across all operational units, setting new industry benchmarks. The Zhenhai Refinery is the largest integrated refining and chemical enterprise owned by Sinopec, boasting an ethylene production capacity of 2.2 million tons per year. It consistently ranks among the top performers in the Solomon Global Ethylene Performance Evaluation in China.
As Sinopec continues to lead the charge in the petrochemical sector, the completion of this project not only highlights the corporation's substantial investments and commitment to innovation but also positions it strategically for future expansions and developments in an increasingly competitive global market.