MOSCOW (MRC) -- Braskem Idesa, the 75-25 joint venture of Braskem and Idesa (Mexico City), have inaugurated the Ethylene XXI complex at Nanchital, part of the Coatzacoalcos petrochemical hub in the southern Mexican state of Veracruz, said Chemweek.
The USD5.2-billion dollar project took some five years to complete. The 1.05-million m.t./year cracker is already feeding the complex’s two high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plants, which have capacities of 400,000 m.t./year and 350,000 m.t./year, each unit based on Ineos technology. The third PE unit has capacity for 300,000 m.t./year of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), using LyondellBasell technology, and is in the process of ramping up.
"The HDPE plants were started up in April, with the LDPE started up in June, and while they are not currently running at 100% they have been tested and they can run at 100% and over," Grupo Idesa CEO Jose Luis Uriegas.
The jv expects its 2016 PE production to be about 50-60% of the the total capacity.
A 20-year agreement with Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) covers feedstock supplies to the complex’s ethane cracker via a 130-kilometer pipeline. The long-term supply agreement gives priority to, and guarantees the complex access to the feedstock it requires to produce ethylene and polyethylene (PE). The site has about 3,500 m.t. of ethane storage capacity.
About USD6 million has been invested in the complex’s logistics platform. The domestic market can be served by train or truck to small and medium-size clients. Exports to the United States can take several routes: To the West Coast by train via Nuevo Laredo or Piedras Negras, and to destinations on the East Coast by boat. The presence of standardized train tracks throughout North America make rail a convenient transport method, and product can be delivered to clients throughout North America, Braskem Idesa says. Meanwhile, exports to the rest of the world can be shipped out via the Port of Veracruz in containers. Access to the Pacific export routes can be made via the Port of Salinas Cruz.
Braskem S.A. produces petrochemicals and generates electricity. The Company produces ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, xylenes, butadiene, butene, isoprene, dicyclopentediene, MTBE, caprolactam, ammonium sulfate, cyclohexene, polyethylene theraphtalat, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
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