PROCESS Worldwide brings to you the ‘Top 10 plant engineering projects of September 2023’ from all over the world. Right from Adnoc developing one of the largest carbon capture projects in MENA to KBR’s technology being selected for the world's first commercial ammonia cracking unit, find out all the projects making headlines here.
At a glance: Plant engineering projects from across the globe.
(Source: Sasint - stock.adobe.com)
Sabic-Sinopec JV Begins Commercial Operation of New Polycarbonate Plant
Sabic and Sinopec have announced the commercial operation of a new polycarbonate plant at SSTPC.
(Source: Sabic)
September 05 – Sabic and Sinopec have announced the commercial operation of a new polycarbonate (PC) plant at their 50-50 joint venture (JV) – Sinopec Sabic Tianjin Petrochemical Co. (SSTPC). Khalid Hashim Al-Dabbagh, Sabic Chairman and Ma Yongsheng, Sinopec Chairman attended the ceremony.
Established in 2009, SSTPC is a mega-size petrochemical complex that already consists of nine world-scale production plants producing chemicals, polyethylene, and polypropylene. With an annual designed capacity of 260 kT, the new PC plant is a vital component of Sabic’s PC growth strategy in China, allowing for further collaborations with global and local customers. The development of the PC plant marks the next chapter of the JV and strengthens the partners’ capability to meet regional PC market demands.
The availability of Sabic’s polycarbonate will primarily be for customers in the Greater China region, targeting major PC-related industries such as electricals & electronics, consumer goods & appliances, automotive, healthcare products and building and construction applications.
BASF Begins Construction of Syngas Plant at Verbund Site in China
The state-of-the-art facility will produce syngas and hydrogen for captive use within BASF’s production Verbund.
(Source: BASF)
September 05 – BASF has commenced construction of its syngas plant at the Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. This world-scale syngas facility, fully integrated into the Verbund site, is scheduled to start up in 2025. BASF will adopt unique process concepts in the syngas plant to reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional syngas plants, contributing to BASF’s sustainability goals.
The state-of-the-art facility will produce syngas and hydrogen for captive use within BASF’s production Verbund. The production technologies deployed in the syngas plant will mainly utilize CO2 off-gas, a by-product of the ethylene oxide process and excess fuel gas from steam cracker operations, to manufacture syngas. “The technical concept of this syngas plant is the first of its kind in China, underscoring our commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Compared to other technologies, these innovative process technologies help to reduce the Zhanjiang Verbund site’s direct CO2 emissions and particularly lower the carbon footprint of our oxo and ethylene oxide products,” said Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President of Petrochemicals Asia Pacific at BASF.
Besides the above-mentioned raw materials, the syngas plant can utilize further feedstocks, ensuring more reliable production. Electricity will be supplied by the site-wide grid which is expected to be powered with 100 % renewable energy by 2025.
Adnoc to Develop One of the Largest Carbon Capture Projects in MENA
The project will triple Adnoc’s carbon capture capacity to 2.3 mtpa, equivalent to removing over 500,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road per year.
(Source: Adnoc)
September 07 – Adnoc has announced a final investment decision (FID) to develop one of the largest carbon capture projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The pioneering Habshan carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project will have the capacity to capture and permanently store 1.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of carbon dioxide (CO2) within geological formations deep underground.
Using best-in-class technology, the project will triple Adnoc’s carbon capture capacity to 2.3 mtpa, equivalent to removing over 500,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road per year. The project, to be built, operated and maintained by Adnoc Gas on behalf of Adnoc, will include carbon capture units at the Habshan gas processing plant, pipeline infrastructure, and a network of wells for CO2 injection.
The Habshan carbon capture project could provide for enhanced oil recovery of industry leading low carbon-intensity barrels as well as the production of low-carbon feedstocks such as hydrogen, to help customers decarbonize their operations.
Govt Authorities Approve Development of Large Electrolyzer Plant in Germany
The electrolyzer project in Lingen is the first production plant for hydrogen in Germany of this size.
(Source: RWE)
September 08 – The Get H2 Nukleus hydrogen project has passed an important milestone. The relevant authority in Oldenburg has granted permission for the construction and operation of the first two 100-Megawatt (MW) electrolyzers on the site of the RWE gas-fired power plant in Lingen to the operating company “Nukleus Green H2”, a subsidiary of RWE.
Date: 08.12.2025
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The 200-MW plant will be able to produce up to 35,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. The hydrogen is intended to enable industrial companies to significantly reduce their carbon emissions. The electrolyzer project in Lingen is the first production plant for hydrogen in Germany of this size. Seven months after the Oldenburg Trade Inspectorate confirmed the completeness of the submitted 2,250-page application document, it now issued the certificate of approval.
In Germany, approval on the basis of the Federal Emission Control Act is a prerequisite for such large-scale plants being built and operated. All relevant potential effects, e.g. emissions, must be examined thoroughly in the process. The 78-page approval document issued by the authority specifies exactly which technical, organizational and environmental requirements must be met during construction and operation.
The Lingen site plays a key part in RWE’s hydrogen strategy. There, the company wants to install hydrogen generating capacities of 300 megawatts in 100-megawatt increments by 2027 as part of the Get H2 project. At the end of 2023, RWE will already commission a 14-megawatt pilot plant in Lingen to test the use of two electrolyzer technologies (PEM and pressurized alkali) that are being considered for future hydrogen projects.
LG Chem, Eni Sustainable Mobility to Explore Development of New Biorefinery
The potential biorefinery is expected to process approximately 400,000 tons of bio-feedstocks annually.
(Source: LG Chem)
September 15 – South Korea’s leading chemicals producer LG Chem and Italian energy group Eni Sustainable Mobility jointly announced that they are exploring the possibility to develop and operate a new biorefinery at LG Chem’s Daesan chemical complex, 80 kilometers southwest of Seoul, South Korea.
Together, the companies are examining the technical and economic feasibilities for the proposed project. Final decision for the investment is scheduled by 2024 and the plant will be completed by 2026 at the existing integrated petrochemical complex in Daesan, Korea. The new biorefinery will leverage LG Chem’s integrated value chain as well as the existing utilities and facilities of the industrial site.
The potential biorefinery aims to meet the growing demand for more sustainable fuels and plastics produced by low-carbon processes, as well as to help progressively decarbonize the energy and mobility sector. It is designed to process approximately 400,000 tons of bio-feedstocks annually using Eni's Ecofining process, developed in collaboration with Honeywell UOP. It will also have the flexibility to process renewable bio-feedstocks and produce multiple products including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), and bio-naphtha.
LG Chem and Eni will combine expertise in this initiative.
Topsoe Technology Chosen for Renewable Fuels Production Unit in Indonesia
Once complete, the grassroot unit will use Topsoe’s technology to convert bio-feedstock into SAF and renewable diesel, with plans to produce 6,000 bpsd.
(Source: Haldor Topsoe)
September 19 – Topsoe has been selected by PT KPI as a technology licensor to provide its Hydroflex technology for the production of renewable fuels at the Cilacap Refinery Complex in Central Java, Indonesia. Once complete, the grassroot unit will use Topsoe’s technology to convert bio-feedstock into SAF and renewable diesel, with plans to produce 6,000 bpsd. This milestone marks Topsoe’s 50th Hydroflex reference globally.
Alok Verma, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Topsoe, said: “We are pleased to continue our close collaboration with Pertamina marking our 5th technology reference with the Group. This award at the Cilacap refinery is a key milestone for the supply of renewable fuels to the Asia market. It’s a tremendous pleasure working with Pertamina on these very successful projects taking the region towards carbon neutrality.”
KBR Technology Selected for World's First Commercial Ammonia Cracking Unit
KBR has been awarded a license and engineering design contract by Hanwha Impact Corporation for the world's first commercial ammonia cracking unit.
(Source: KBR)
September 19 – KBR has been awarded a license and engineering design contract by Hanwha Impact Corporation for the world's first commercial ammonia cracking unit using KBR's leading H2Act technology in Daesan, Republic of Korea. In this largest capacity ammonia cracking plant announced to date, clean hydrogen will serve a planned power plant in Daesan, paving the way for large-scale sustainable hydrogen utilization. Ammonia cracking, the process to convert transported ammonia back to hydrogen, is a key enabler to achieving the world's decarbonization target.
Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design for the unit, which will be designed to deliver over 200 metric tons per day of clean hydrogen as fuel.
"We are honored to be selected by Hanwha for this flagship project, which will accelerate the realization of their decarbonization targets and play a vital role in Korea's national sustainability objectives," said Doug Kelly, President, Technology, KBR. "KBR's breakthrough ammonia cracking technology, H2Act, delivers a reliable and holistic solution for large-scale, efficient, and sustainable hydrogen production."
Exxonmobil Starts Up Two New Chemical Production Units at Baytown, USA
The 2-billion-dollar expansion is part of Exxonmobil’s long-term growth plans to deliver higher-value products from its U.S. Gulf Coast refining and chemical facilities
(Source: Pixabay)
September 21 – Exxonmobil has recently announced the startup of two new chemical production units at its Baytown, Texas, manufacturing facility. The 2-billion-dollar expansion is part of Exxonmobil’s long-term growth plans to deliver higher-value products from its U.S. Gulf Coast refining and chemical facilities.
The new performance polymers line will produce 400,000 metric tons per year of Vistamaxx and Exact-branded polymer modifiers, which can enhance the performance of a broad range of chemical products used to make automotive parts, construction materials, hygiene and personal care products, and various packaging applications. Vistamaxx can increase the durability of consumer products like reusable containers to extend their useful life while also allowing for higher recycled content. Exact can help meet the growing demand in the auto industry for thinner, lighter weight parts that improve fuel efficiency.
The new linear alpha olefins unit will produce 350,000 tons per year of Elevexx-branded products, marking Exxonmobil’s entry into the market. Linear alpha olefins are used in plastic packaging, high performing engine and industrial oils and other applications. They’re also building blocks for surfactants, which reduce surface tension for cleaning and industrial uses, and drag reducing agents, which allow crude to flow through pipelines more efficiently.
Solvay JV Launches New Electronic Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Plant in Taiwan
The newly revealed facility features an impressive annual production capacity of 35,000 tons of electronic grade high-purity hydrogen peroxide.
(Source: Solvay)
September 25 – Shinsol Advanced Chemicals, a dynamic collaboration between Solvay and Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corporation, marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its cutting-edge electronic grade hydrogen peroxide plant in Tainan, Taiwan. Notable attendees included Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Chairman Wu Tung-Sheng, Tainan Mayor Huang Weizhe, Shinsol Chairman Gregory Wu, Solvay President of the Special Chem business An Nuyttens, and Solvay Electronics Business Director Ziad Haddad, among others.
Covering an expansive 2.4 hectares, the newly revealed facility features an impressive annual production capacity of 35,000 tons of electronic grade high-purity hydrogen peroxide, crafted to meet the stringent global market standards. It primarily serves the semiconductor sector, playing a pivotal role as a vital chemical agent in integrated electronic circuit manufacturing. The plant is scheduled for commissioning in December this year, with full-scale production planned for early next year.
Ziad Haddad, Business Director for Electronics at Solvay, remarked, “Taiwan, as Asia’s technology hub, represents the ideal location for this new facility, positioning us for significant growth in the electronics sector. This underscores our commitment to supplying the semiconductor and electronics industries with top-notch, eco-friendly solutions, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner.”
World's First Integrated Hydrogen Validation Facility Begins Full-Scale Operations
The Takasago Hydrogen Park is located at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Takasago Machinery Works in Hyogo Prefecture in west central Japan.
(Source: MHI)
September 26 – Mitsubishi Power has announced that Takasago Hydrogen Park, the world's first integrated hydrogen validation facility, has entered full-scale operation. The park is located at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Takasago Machinery Works in Hyogo Prefecture in west central Japan. Electrolysis hydrogen production recently began operation at the park, and Mitsubishi Power aims to improve product reliability through the validation of hydrogen co-firing and 100 % hydrogen firing of gas turbines, while also implementing successive expansion with the introduction of next-generation hydrogen production technologies.
Takasago Hydrogen Park is divided into sections according to three hydrogen-related functions: hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. In the production area, an alkaline electrolyzer manufactured by Hydrogenpro of Norway with a hydrogen production capacity of 1,100Nm3/h, the highest in the world, has entered operation. The hydrogen produced will be stored in storage equipment with a total capacity of 39,000 Nm3.
The validation of hydrogen firing equipment will be done at the T-Point 2 combined cycle power plant validation facility located in the utilization area, using a Mitsubishi Power JAC (J-series Air-Cooled) large frame gas turbine (450 MW class), as well as small- and mid-sized H-25 gas turbine (40 MW class) that had been previously installed for compressor driving at the combustion test facility.
The hydrogen produced at Takasago Hydrogen Park will be used to validate 30 % hydrogen co-firing at T-Point 2, a grid-connected JAC gas turbine combined cycle power plant and is expected to be completed before the end of the year. Validation of 100 % hydrogen firing in the H-25 gas turbine is planned for 2024.