Simplified Reactor Schematics for High Pressure Ethylene Polymerisation. Credit: Portfolio Planning PLUS

Ningbo Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company Ltd. (ZRCC), a key subsidiary of Sinopec, has signed a technology licensing agreement with ECI Group for a new ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. The plant, designed for a capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year, will be part of ZRCC’s ongoing expansion of its integrated ethylene and downstream chemical complex in the Zhenhai District.

Details of the Licensing Agreement

Technology Scope: The agreement covers the licensing of ECI Group’s hybrid reactor technology, which merges the product versatility of an autoclave reactor with the higher throughput of a tubular reactor tail. This configuration is designed to enable the production of a broad range of high-pressure polyethylene products, including LDPE, EVA, and other high-value copolymers at larger scales, a capability that has traditionally been challenging for autoclave-based technologies alone.

Project Deliverables: ECI Group will provide the technology license, process design package, expanded process design package, and detailed design for the high-pressure system. The scope also includes technical procurement services and on-site support during installation, commissioning, and performance assessment.

Plant Integration: The new EVA/LDPE facility will be integrated into ZRCC’s large ethylene and downstream complex. ZRCC, as a Sinopec subsidiary, is a major operator in the region and has recently completed significant expansions to increase both crude oil processing and advanced materials production capacity at its Ningbo site.

Industry Context

Capacity Milestone: The contract marks a milestone for ECI Group, bringing its total nameplate licensed capacity for LDPE/EVA plants to 1 million tonnes since 2021, with projects in China ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year.

Strategic Expansion: The new plant forms part of NZRCC’s broader strategy to expand its portfolio of high-value specialty chemicals and polymers, supporting downstream industries such as automotive, home appliances, and textiles in the Yangtze River Delta.

Sinopec’s Role: NZRCC operates as a major refining and chemical subsidiary under Sinopec, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemical companies. The Zhenhai complex is a central hub for Sinopec’s advanced materials and petrochemical production in eastern China.


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