The first production facilities in the $1.4-billion expansion of BASF-YPC Company Limited, Nanjing, China, have begun operations. The project includes the expansion of the existing steam cracker, from 600,000 to 740,000 t/a of ethylene, the expansion of three existing plants, and the construction of ten new plants. The bulk of the remaining plants are expected to come on-stream around the end of 2011.

BASF-YPC Co. is a 50-50 joint venture between BASF and Sinopec. It is located in Luhe District of Nanjing Municipality within the Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP) achieving synergy with the development of NCIP and the neighboring enterprises.

The Company began construction of the first phase of Integrated Petrochemical Site (IPS) in September 2001 and started commercial operation in June 2005. The investment for the first phase amounted to USD 2.9 billion.

^{Image: © BASF-YPC Co.}

• BASF-YPC Co., Nanjing, China