MIDLAND, MICH. - March 09, 2007
Dow Technology Licensing, a business group of The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated affiliates (Dow), today announced that its world-leading UNIPOL™ PP Process Technology has been selected for a new 200 KTA polypropylene (PP) facility to be constructed at the PetroChina GuangXi Petrochemical Company complex in GuangXi Province, The People’s Republic of China.
The PetroChina GuangXi plant will be the second in China to utilize the UNIPOL PP Process Technology. Consistent with its drive to provide licensees with comprehensive and top quality services to aid in project execution, Dow is collaborating on this project with Aker Kvaerner, a leading global provider of engineering and construction services that has designed and/or built numerous UNIPOL PP lines around the world. Aker Kvaerner will provide the basic engineering design and certain offshore equipment for the new plant, which is expected to come on line in 2008. The process design package provided by Dow has been delivered, and Aker Kvaerner is in the final stages of delivering the basic engineering design.
“Demand for polypropylene in China is growing rapidly and we are pleased that our world-class technology is recognized as a safe, reliable and cost-effective source of PP production,” said Dr. Molly Peifang Zhang, global vice president, Dow Technology Licensing. “Our customers choose our technology because of its simple and safe design, its extremely economical production process and broad product mix as well as the benefits of low energy costs and waste during plant start up. Together, these qualities make UNIPOL™ PP Process Technology one of the most attractive polypropylene licensing options on the market today. And, this further demonstrates our technology’s leading position in energy effectiveness and environmental protection. We are of cause pleased to contribute to sustainability in this way.”
The evaluation team for the Guangxi PP project commented, “We are committed to implementing the most advanced technologies and processes in our plants, and that is one of the main reasons we selected the UNIPOL PP process for our new polypropylene plant in GuangXi. We are also very impressed with Dow’s R&D capabilities, which show that their polypropylene expertise is more than just technology-related – it is deeply-rooted knowledge capital that the company brings to every licensee.”
There are more than 40 UNIPOLPP production lines that are either being constructed or are fully operational around the world. These lines account for more than 6,500 KTA of global polypropylene production.
About The Dow Chemical Company
About PetroChina Company Limited
PetroChina Company Limited (“PetroChina”) was established in 1999 as part of the restructuring of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). In the restructuring, CNPC injected into PetroChina most of the assets and liabilities of CNPC relating to its Exploration and Production, Refining and Marketing, and Chemicals and Natural Gas businesses. PetroChina, now one of the largest companies in the People’s Republic of China in terms of sales, is engaged in a broad range of activities related to petroleum and natural gas. It is one of the largest producers of petrochemical products in China. Major chemical products include: synthetic ethylene, polyolefins, synthetic fiber, synthetic rubber, and chemical fertilizer. More information about PetroChina can be found at www.petrochina.com.cn.
About Aker Kvaerner ASA
AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner comprises several industries, including Oil & Gas, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals and Power Generation. The Aker Kvaerner group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 50 billion and employs approximately 23 000 people in about 30 countries. Aker Kvaerner is part of the Aker Group (www.akerasa.com), a leading multi-industry powerhouse with more than 55 000 employees and NOK 80 billion revenues. Aker owns 40.1 percent of Aker Kvaerner, and the group is also a major European shipbuilder and a significant participant in the fisheries industry. www.akerkvaerner.com
®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
For Editorial Information:
Kathleen Davis
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-2760
Urszula Murphy
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
(212) 687-2600 ext. 1296
umurphy@gibbs-soell.com
