[Haichuan Chemical Salary Updates] Tianli High-Tech Petrochemical’s 200,000 tons/year EVA project has commenced construction

It is understood that the Tianli High-Tech Petrochemical EVA project utilizes Germany’s LyondellBasell patented high-pressure tubular technology to produce EVA resin from the ethylene resources available in the Dushanzi area. The main markets for this product are high-end foam products for which domestic raw material self-sufficiency is low, solar photovoltaic film, ultra-high voltage wires and cables, as well as coating applications. The total investment in the project is approximately 2.45 billion yuan, with commissioning of the plant scheduled for June 30, 2022. To date, this project has completed preliminary tasks such as basic design, procurement of long-cycle imported equipment and materials, and signing of the general contract. Nearly 400 million yuan has been invested so far, with an estimated total investment of 1.2 billion yuan for this year.

EVA material: EVA material is made from the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate; it is also known as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. It is produced by copolymerizing ethylene (E) and vinyl acetate (VA). Its English name is Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, abbreviated as EVA or E/VAC. The polymerization methods include high-pressure bulk polymerization (for plastics), solution polymerization (for PVC processing aids), emulsion polymerization (for adhesives), and suspension polymerization. Emulsion polymerization is used when the vinyl acetate (VA) content is above 30%, while high-pressure bulk polymerization is employed when the vinyl acetate content is low.

Properties and uses of EVA: EVA pellets can be used to produce various types of EVA sheets, which can then undergo further processing; for example, they can be used as packaging linings after being cut into shapes, or they can be turned into shoe soles through heat pressing. Biodegradable: It does not cause harm to the environment when discarded or burned. EVA material can be used in the electronics, hardware, and toy industries. Similar to PVC prices: EVA is more expensive than toxic PVC, but it is cheaper compared to PVC that does not contain phthalates. Lighter weight: The density of EVA ranges from 0.91 to 0.93, whereas that of PVC is 1.32. Odor-free: EVA does not have odors such as ammonia or other organic smells. Free from heavy metals: Complies with relevant international toy regulations (EN-71 Part 3 and ASTM-F963). Phthalate-free: suitable for children’s toys and eliminates the risk of plasticizer release. High transparency, softness, and toughness: it has a very wide range of applications. Ultra-high low-temperature resistance (-70°C): suitable for icy environments. Water resistance, salts, and other substances: Remains stable under heavy use. High adhesion: Can be firmly attached to nylon, polyester, canvas, and other types of fabric. Low bonding temperature: Can accelerate production speed. Suitable for screen printing and offset printing: can be used on more complex products (but EVA-based inks must be used).

The project site is located in the Tianli High-Tech Chemical Plant Area, Dushanzi District, Karamay City, Xinjiang. The newly built EVA production facility is designed to have an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons, with the product being EVA； The annual continuous operation time of the equipment is 8,000 hours, and 1 main production line is installed.

The main part of the project is an EVA plant with an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons； Auxiliary systems include the flare system and the off-site circulating water facility ； The storage and transportation system includes the VA raw material tank area, chemical storage facilities, and finished product warehouses ； Environmental protection facilities mainly include the RTO organic waste gas treatment system, sewage collection for various units, septic tanks for domestic wastewater, and accident buffer tanks. The final discharge and treatment of wastewater from the entire plant are handled by the sewage treatment plant at the Tianli High-Tech Public Works Center.

The main part of the project is an EVA plant with an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons； Auxiliary systems include the flare system and the off-site circulating water facility ； The storage and transportation system includes the VA raw material tank area, chemical storage facilities, and finished product warehouses ； Environmental protection facilities mainly include the RTO organic waste gas treatment system, sewage collection for various units, septic tanks for domestic wastewater, and accident buffer tanks. The final discharge and treatment of wastewater from the entire plant are handled by the sewage treatment plant at the Tianli High-Tech Public Works Center.

On September 16, 2019, the 300,000-ton/year EVA (ethylene acetate, vinyl resin) plant as part of the Gulei Refining and Chemical Integration Project, constructed by the 10th Construction Company of Refining and Chemical Engineering, successfully commenced construction, marking the entry into the construction phase of the largest EVA plant in China at that time. It is understood that the 300,000 tons per year EVA unit of the Gulei refining and chemical integration project was under the general contract of Sinopec Shanghai Engineering Company, with Shijian Company carrying out the construction work; completion of the project is expected by August 28, 2021. During the construction over the past two years, Shijian Company was primarily responsible for the construction and installation work related to the EVA plant. It completed tasks such as installing 286 pieces of equipment, welding process pipelines with a total length of 150,000 inches, constructing steel structures weighing 2,900 tons, installing 1,764 units of electrical and instrumentation equipment, and laying 736 kilometers of cables for electrical and instrumentation purposes. The 300,000 tons per year EVA plant is another key facility to come online as part of Shijian Company’s Gulei refining and chemical integration project, following the commissioning of facilities such as the 800,000 tons per year steam cracking plant and the 600,000 tons per year styrene plant. At the commencement ceremony, the person in charge of Gulei Refining and Chemical Integration Project at Shijian Company said that the most skilled construction team would be mobilized to meet all the construction milestones for the EVA plant in a safe, high-quality, efficient manner and on schedule, adhering to the highest construction standards.

On February 28, 2018, the Nanjing Yangzi 100,000-ton/year EVA project, constructed by Nanjing Engineering Company, held a kick-off meeting for civil engineering and water supply and drainage works on site, after one and a half months of preliminary preparation, adhering to the principles of thrift and efficiency. The owner, general contractor, supervisor, and various participating units were invited to attend this meeting. The project consists of 3 parts: the EVA main unit, the public utilities and auxiliary facilities within the site, and the public utilities and auxiliary facilities outside the site; the construction contract value is 225.09 million yuan. This project is characterized by a large workload, the use of many imported high-pressure devices, high pipeline pressures, high construction precision, and a tight schedule. It was emphasized at the kick-off meeting that this project is a key project for the group company as well as for Yangzi Petrochemical; it is also one of the major projects undertaken by Yangzi Petrochemical in recent years. The group company requires that this project be standardized, digitalized, information-driven, and modularized, so as to serve as a model for the construction of subsequent refining and chemical processing projects at Yangzi Petrochemical. The project team stated that it will \"prioritize what the client cares about and think about what the client is thinking,\" and will go all out to organize the construction work properly, ensuring that the project is completed safely, to a high quality, and to high standards, striving to create a **high-quality project**.