AKCC & PTT JV to study acrylonitrile (AN) & other petrochemicals
24 Feb '06
3 min read
Fibers raw material maker Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation (AKCC) and PTT Public Company Limited of Thailand have reached basic agreement to explore the prospects for joint commercial projects in petrochemicals.
Studies for joint production of acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in Thailand (see below) have reached advanced stages, with final conclusion expected shortly.
Furthermore, the two companies are extending the scope of study to other businesses and technologies in which synergies can be obtained through a combination of AKCC's and PTT's respective strengths.
AKCC, facing the prospect of elevated petroleum and naphtha prices persisting for an extended period, sought a partner with stable, low-cost access to petrochemical feedstocks, and has advanced the development of technology to enable a transition from naphtha to gas as basic feedstock for petrochemicals production.
At the same time, AKCC has considered a range of options for reinforcing its competitive position in acrylonitrile (ACN) and MMA through the addition of an Asian production base to meet forecast demand growth in the region.
As the strengths and objectives of the two companies matched one another well, it was agreed to advance studies for commercial collaboration in a number of petrochemical products.
AN: AKCC's technology for AN production from propane gas instead of from propylene is in the final stages of commercialization. AKCC and PTT are studying the joint construction of a 200,000 ton/year propane-process AN plant in Thailand with start-up targeted for year-end 2009.
marketing@alchempro.com
