LyondellBasell and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) have signed an agreement to form the 50-50 joint venture to produce propylene oxide (PO) and styrene monomer (SM) in China (PCN, 6 Jan 2020, p 1).
The joint venture, which will operate under the name Ningbo ZRCC LyondellBasell New Material Co. will build a new facility in Zhenhai, Ningbo, that will produce 275,000 t/y of PO and 600,000 t/y of SM.
Based on LyondellBasellPO/SM technology, the plant is expected to start up at the end of this year. Products will be marketed equally by both parties.
Formation of the joint venture is subject to relevant government approvals, including antitrust review by the State Administration for Market Regulation.
