In early winter, the cold gradually intensifies on the Shaanbei Plateau, but on the construction site of Yan'an Energy and Chemical Company of Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum, it is a hot scene. Recently, Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group has taken a crucial step in the transformation and upgrading of the chemical industry. Its wholly-owned subsidiary Yan'an Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. held a grand groundbreaking ceremony for the carbonyl new material project, marking a new chapter in the journey of extending the chemical industry chain, moving towards high-end and differentiation for Yan'an Petroleum. The Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Group, Zhang Kaiyong, and the person in charge of the project cooperation unit witnessed this moment together.

Focusing on high-end chemical new materials, creating a new engine for industrial upgrading

The carbonyl new material project that has started construction this time is a strategic focus for Yanchang Petroleum Group to implement chemical industry chain extension, supplementation, and strengthening projects. The total investment of the project is as high as 5.321 billion yuan. The core technology route is based on the carbonylation of ethylene, propylene, and butene, producing high value-added alcohol, aldehyde, and ester products, and further extending downstream, ultimately producing high value-added new materials such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, commonly known as acrylic glass) and high-end ethylene propylene rubber. The project aims to build an important production base for alcohols, aldehydes, and esters in the extension of petroleum, which is of decisive significance for significantly improving product added value and enhancing market competitiveness.

To ensure the efficient and orderly progress of the project, it follows the principle of "integrated planning and step-by-step implementation" and is divided into three stages for construction. It is expected that by the end of 2026, the first phase will achieve the commissioning of a 25000 ton/year ethylene propylene rubber second-line plant, and the construction of a 50000 ton/year MTBE plant and ACO technology renovation project. The second phase will focus on the construction of a 50000 ton/year ethylene propylene rubber plant and a 100000 ton/year MMA-PMMA integrated project. The third phase plans to construct facilities for butyl methacrylate and its copolymers, polyoxymethylene (POM), tert butylamine, etc. Feasibility studies are currently underway. According to calculations, after all projects are completed and put into operation, Yanneng Chemical Company will significantly increase its annual output value by about 4.196 billion yuan, increase its annual after tax profit by about 707 million yuan, and create 402 new job opportunities, with significant economic and social benefits.

Consolidate the industrial foundation and lead the world in multiple technologies

The smooth progress of the carbonyl new material project cannot be separated from the solid industrial foundation already laid by Yan'an Energy and Chemical Company. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yan'an Petroleum, Yan'an Energy and Chemical Company is responsible for the operation of the Yan'an Coal, Oil and Gas Resource Comprehensive Utilization Project, which has been put into commercial operation since July 2020. The project has a grand scale and consists of 8 main units, including 1.8 million tons/year of methanol, 600000 tons/year of methanol deep processing, 400000 tons/year of young oil processing and utilization, 420000 tons/year of polyethylene, 300000 tons/year of polypropylene, etc. It is worth mentioning that the light oil processing unit is the first in China, the butanol/2-PH (dipropylheptanol) co production unit is the world's first, and the 25000 tons/year ethylene propylene rubber unit is the world's first unit to adopt the solution polymerization process technology of Italian FasTech company throughout the entire process, demonstrating its leading strength in the field of technological innovation. Keywords: infrastructure construction, infrastructure projects, infrastructure engineering projects

The commencement of the carbonyl new material project is not only a key layout for extending the strengthening, optimization, and expansion of the chemical industry, but also a concrete practice for actively responding to market changes and promoting high-quality development. As the project is gradually completed and put into operation in the future, the resilience and sustained profitability of the petroleum industry chain will be greatly enhanced, injecting new strong impetus into local economic development and occupying a more important position in China's high-end chemical materials field. Editor/Xu Shengpeng