BASF SE and Sinopec have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly explore the possibility of building a world-scale iso-nonanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. The final scope of the investment will be determined following the outcome of the joint feasibility study, which is expected by the end of 2012.

BASF and Sinopec jointly operate BASF-YPC Co., a 50-50 JV in Nanjing, China. As one of China’s largest petrochemical joint ventures, the site produces a wide range of high quality chemicals for the rapidly growing Chinese market.

China imported 318,600 metric tons of chemicals in 2011. It relies exclusively on imports of INA mainly from Germany and Singapore.
INA is used as the feedstock for the production of next generation plasticizers, e.g., diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and non-phthalate plasticizer like Hexamoll DINCH. DINP is used in industrial applications such as automotive, wires, cables, flooring, building and construction. Hexamoll DINCH is used for sensitive applications.

• BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany
• China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec), Beijing, China