South African chemicals company Sasol has officially opened its new alkoxylation plant in Nanjing, China , which is expected to more than double its production capacity of alkoxylation in the region.

Sasol alkoxylation plant in Nanjing

Built at the Nanjing Jiangbei New Material Hi-Tech Park, the new Sasol alkoxylation plant in Nanjing will be supported by research and development and technical customer support capabilities. The alkoxylation facility, which broke ground in June 2017, reached beneficial operation in April 2019.

It is expected to grow the current alkoxylation capability of the South African chemicals company to nearly 150 kilotons per annum (ktpa), courtesy of additional facilities for producing anionic surfactants.

The new Sasol alkoxylation plant in Nanjing can run using branched or linear alcohols to address the differentiated customer requirements in applications like detergents, personal care, metalworking and lubrication, textile and leather, paints and coatings, inks, and also oil and gas, enhanced oil recovery and industrial cleaning.

Commenting on the opening of the new Sasol alkoxylation plant in Nanjing, Bongani Nqwababa – Joint President and CEO of Sasol, said: “Our expansion in China underpins our chemicals business ambitions to diversify geographically, participate in high-growth markets and grow in differentiated applications. For more than 25 years, we have been active in providing high-quality surfactants in China, where we see ongoing shifts towards high value and differentiated segments.

“I am confident this expansion will enable us to better support local customer requirements and our pursuit for continued long-term growth in the world’s most important emerging market.

Through the alkoxylation facility in Nanjing, Sasol said that it will consolidate its place in China and better meet the increasing demand for specialty chemicals. Since 1992, Sasol has been producing surfactants, including non-ionic alcohol ethoxylates and also anionic alcohol ether sulfates, in the country.

The new Sasol alkoxylation facility in China is said to mark a major expansion of the current operational presence of the South African chemicals company in the market and also the first step towards a strong, differentiated expansion strategy for its Performance Chemicals business in the larger Asian region.

Shentu Hongxing – Vice President Operations China and Managing Director of Sasol China, commenting on the opening of the new Sasol alkoxylation plant in Nanjing, said: “Comprising state-of-the-art process technology, the plant will operate to the highest standards of operational safety, reliability and flexibility. Furthermore, this technology allows us to minimise environmental impacts in full compliance with stringent environmental protection measures set by the government.

“We look forward to making a larger contribution to both the regional economy and a greener environment – all while continuing to serve our customers with high quality tailored solutions.”

  Alkoxylation, Bongani Nqwababa, China, Nanjing, Nanjing Jiangbei New Material Hi-Tech Park, Sasol, Shentu Hongxing