Ethylene Glycol and Ethylene Oxide Units are Planned for Taiwan

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). China Man-Made Fiber Corporation (Taipei, Taiwan) is currently planning to add an ethylene glycol unit (PEC 98200127), with a production capacity of 400,000 metric tons a year, and an ethylene oxide unit (PEC 98200126), with a production capacity of 280,000 metric tons a year. The combined investment of the two new units is estimated at approximately $200 million. Construction is expected to commence during the summer of 2004 and the completion date is currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2006.

The units will be constructed at China Man-Made Fiber Corporation's existing site in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Plant 1062554). Both units will be equipped with Shell Chemicals' Omega ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol process technology systems. The ethylene oxide process, which is the feedstock for ethylene glycol, uses a catalyst with high-selectivity and the end process delivers a higher standard of product without by-products commonly associated with producing ethylene glycol. A portion of the ethylene glycol will be used to produce polyester for fibers, while the remainder will be sold to China.

Ethylene glycol is divided into three categories: fiber grade, industrial grade, and antifreeze grade. It is used in plastics, fibers, coolants and resins. It is also used as a treatment for products, such as tobacco, paper, adhesives, printing inks and leather.