Repsol reveals Tarragona plans

30 June 1997 00:00  [Source: ICB]

Repsol Química is to build its first dedicated lldPE unit in Tarragona, Spain. The plant will have a capacity of 150 000-200 000 tonne/year and is due to start up during 1999-2000. Investment costs have been put at Pta10bn ($70m).

This will complement existing 145 000 tonne/year hdPE and 195 000 tonne/year ldPE capacity which includes 75 000 tonne/year ldPE from TDESA, Repsol's jv with Dow. Repsol has a net surplus of approximately 250 000 tonne/year of ethylene at Tarragona, from its 600 000 tonne/year cracker.

The surplus is being sold to other producers at the site, but could effectively provide feedstock for the new lldPE plant. A decision is still pending on Repsol's second 600 000-700 000 tonne/year naphtha cracker.

Repsol has also revealed that it is considering a strategic alliance in polyols and glycols. The project would involve building two units with a capacity of 50 000-60 000 tonne/year each of polyols and glycols. Propylene oxide (PO) feedstock for the new units will be sourced from Repsol's proposed PO/SM unit, due to start up in late 1998-early 1999 (ECN 21 April 1997 p25).

The company is in dispute with Arco over technology rights for the project (ECN 16 December 1996 p4).

However, the company remains confident of proceeding with the Pta60bn investment, which includes derivative units.

Repsol's plans for the Tarragona petrochemical complex are set to make it the most important in southern Europe. Speaking to ECN, Jesùs Francisco Guinea Rodriguez, head of the Tarragona complex, said: 'Our intention is to raise Repsol's total installed capacity at Tarragona from 1.1 bn tonne/year at the end of this year, to close to 2bn tonne/year by the turn of the century.' Tarragona is well placed to serve markets in the Mediterranean and North Africa, as well as central and northern Europe.

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