The Shabik PKN MTBE project in Saudi Arabia, which was under the general contract of China’s Tianchen Chemical Company, achieved mechanical completion 4 days ahead of schedule

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Recently, the Shabik PKN MTBE project in Saudi Arabia, which was under the general contracting of China National Chemical Corporation Tianchen, achieved mechanical completion 4 days ahead of schedule, continuing its excellent record of on-time completion. As another major project resulting from the successful cooperation between Tianchen Company and SABIC, the project was officially signed in November 2022, with construction beginning in December of the same year. Its main objective is to expand and upgrade PKN’s existing 700,000 tons per year MTBE production facility, increasing its capacity to 1 million tons per year. It is reported that this project is Sabic’s first to utilize its own patented technology, and upon completion, it will become the world’s largest single-site MTBE plant with an annual production capacity of 1 million tons. The upgraded unit exhibits significant improvements in economic efficiency, environmental performance, and operational reliability; it can effectively utilize the by-produced low-pressure steam to generate 10 MW of electricity, reduce catalyst consumption by approximately 6,300 tons per year, and extend the start-up and shutdown cycle of the MTBE synthesis unit from 8 months to 2 years. During the project implementation, the project team faced various challenges related to design, supply, construction, quality, and safety management. It worked closely with the client, suppliers, and subcontractors, monitored the progress of design, procurement, and construction in real time, and ensured strict control over site safety and quality standards. Through measures such as optimizing international transportation routes and on-site construction plans, increasing the proportion of prefabricated pipelines and steel structures, implementing a responsibility system for key procurement equipment, and a management system for the on-site construction area, the project was completed 4 days ahead of schedule. This achievement earned high praise from the Sabic owners and demonstrated the Saudi team spirit of \"hard work, teamwork, innovative approaches, and excellent service,\" laying a solid foundation for the company to expand its operations in the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets.