 "BPCL to use Air Liquide's acrylic acid technology for Kochi petrochem project")
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has selected Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions, the engineering and construction unit of French firm Air Liquide group, for supplying Lurgi/Nippon Kayaku ester grade acrylic acid technology for BPCL’s propylene derivatives petrochemical project (PDPP) located in Kochi, Kerala.
BPCL’s petrochemical project in Kochi is part of the Rs 1 lakh crore planned capex for the next five years, which includes about Rs 40,000 crore investment for the expansion of refining capacity. The propylene derivatives petrochemical project consists of three major process units - acrylic acid, oxo-alcohol and acrylates. Acrylic acid and acrylates are mainly used for paints, coatings, adhesives and platicisers. The market demand for acrylic acid is driven by growing populations with increasing prosperity.
PDPP complex, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018, will be set up close to the refinery to achieve integration of feedstock supply, utilities, offsites and other facilities.
For BPCL’s Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical Project, Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions is providing the technology license, basic engineering, technical services as well as proprietary catalyst and equipment for the world-scale unit.
BPCL contract follows two successful implementations of Air Liquide’s acrylic acid technology, notably at one of the world’s largest single-train plants located in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China. There, the facility utilises chemical-grade propylene as feedstock to produce some 1,40,000 tonnes per year of ester-grade acrylic acid.
“This petrochemical project in India is the very first such endeavour to integrate acrylic acid technology to supply local demand,” commented Domenico D’Elia, vice president and chairman, Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions.
