Sasol doubles Asian alkoxylation capacity

South African chemicals and energy producer Sasol has formally announced the opening of its new alkoxylation plant at the Nanjing Jiangbei New Materials High-Tech Park, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attending by company executives, diplomats, government officials and others. This followed two years of construction and the beginning of operations in April.

The investment more than doubles the firm’s regional capacity to about 150,000 tonnes/year. There will be further R&D and technical customer support capabilities, plus additional facilities for the production of anionic surfactants.

“For more than 25 years, we have been active in providing high-quality surfactants in China, where we see ongoing shifts towards high value and differentiated segments,” said Bongani Nqwababa, joint president and CEO of Sasol. “I am confident this expansion will enable us to better support local customer requirements and our pursuit for continued long-term growth in the world’s most important emerging market.”

The new plant can operate using either branched or linear alcohols to meet differentiated customer requirements in applications like detergents, personal care, textile and leather, metalworking and lubrication, inks, paints and coatings, as well oil and gas, enhanced oil recovery and industrial cleaning.