FREP China begins commercial operation at fully integrated plant

QUANZHOU (ICIS news)--Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Company (FREP) on Wednesday announced the official launch of commercial operation at China's first fully integrated refinery and petrochemicals project.

The Fujian Integrated Refining & Ethylene Joint Venture plant expands the capacity of Fujian's refinery to 12m tonnes/year from the existing 4m tonnes/year. The upgraded refinery primarily processes sour Arabian crude.

Newly constructed facilities include an 800,000 tonne/year ethylene steam cracker, an 800,000 tonne/year polyethylene unit, a 400,000 tonne/year polypropylene unit and a 700,000 tonne/year paraxylene unit.

FREP had been ramping up production, which was close to full rates, a company source said, adding that they would adjust operating rates according to market conditions.

FREP is owned 50% by Sinopec subsidiary Fujian Petrochemical Company, while 25% stake each is held by ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco.