Borouge expands pipes solutions

 

Borouge is embarking on an investment move to significantly increase production of pre-compounded black polyethylene (PE) for pressure pipe applications. The production unit is expected to be completed within 2020, according to the company's announcement at CHINAPLAS 2019.

 

Borouge has an established global track record in providing its customers with advanced plastic pipe solutions with superior processability, performance and quality. The company’s decision to expand capacity of PE black product follows soon after China’s Water Standards Committee revised the PE water pipe standards, to promote the use of pre-compounded materials for piping applications for greater quality assurance.  

 

The investment will address the rising demand for the materials as many cities in China and other emerging economies continue to expand and modernise their utilities infrastructure.

 

This latest announcement comes shortly after Borouge confirmed the next expansion phase of its Ruwais petrochemicals complex, which will see the construction of the world’s largest mixed-feed cracker with an ethylene output of 1.8 million tonnes.

 

The new cracker will be the fourth in Borouge’s Ruwais complex and will have an overall capacity to produce 3.3 million tonnes of olefins and aromatics from a variety of feedstocks including ethane, butane and naphtha. It will also enable the production of many petrochemicals building blocks, enhancing both the company’s growth ambitions and long-term supply security for its customers.

 

“Borouge provides creative and differentiated plastics solutions that help our customers in China to be more successful by enabling them to deliver superior products and solutions at a competitive cost,” said Wim Roels, CEO of Borouge Pte Ltd. “For instance, the use of pre-compounded black polyethylene will enable pipe manufacturers to produce superior quality pipes that help ensure the safe operation of distribution networks and minimise any losses of the products that flow through those pipes. In fact, many of Borouge products help to address environmental protection and resource optimisation in line with sustainability development goals of the People’s Republic of China.”

 

At this year’s Chinaplas in Guangzhou, Borouge presented its innovative solutions for infrastructure, energy, mobility, healthcare, agriculture and packaging applications including Anteo™, its latest family of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) for flexible packaging. Anteo™ provides unparalleled processability, good optical properties and superior puncture and tear resistance. It also has excellent sealing performance, enabling the production of food packaging with high seal integrity, an important factor for convertors, brand owners and retailers looking to improve food freshness and hygiene.

 

Vincent Ong, Borouge’s Senior Vice President for Asia North, said, “Chinaplas is an excellent opportunity for us to share the many advantages of our innovative plastics solutions portfolio, and engage with our customers and the value chain to identify new opportunities. For instance, China is leading the world in the development of electric vehicles and we are keeping pace by developing advanced mobility solutions that are lighter, more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly."