Expansions: Sabic/Sinopec start up PC complex in China; DIC India inaugurates new facility in Gujarat

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) has commenced commercial operations at its 260,000-tonnes/year polycarbonate production facility in Tianjin, China, the company said in a statement to the Saudi stock exchange. The US$1.7 billion project was developed by Sinopec Sabic Tianjin Petrochemical Company (SSTPC), a joint venture between Sabic and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec).

Spread over a sprawling 670,000 sq m area, the new complex comes as part of Phase Two of the project. Phase One of the project, with capacity of 1 million tonnes/year of ethylene, began production in January 2010.

Sabic started pre-commissioning activities at the polycarbonate plant last year in May.

In other news, manufacturer of printing inks, packaging solutions, and allied materials, DIC India Limited, part of Japan’s DIC group, has inaugurated its latest toluene free plant Optima for liquid Ink manufacturing at Saykha in Bharuch district, Gujarat.

Spread across a vast area of 92,500 sq m, the plant has the capacity to manufacture over 10,000+ tonnes of TF, KF/NTNK (toluene-free/ketone-free) liquid inks in two shifts in phase -I . The plant will be further augmented to produce specialty products for domestic and export markets.

Set up with a total investment of US$14 million for phase I the new plant will provide direct employment to more than 100 associates with the aim to cater to the growing demand of toluene-free and ketone-free based inks in the country.

With this new plant, DIC India will now have an expanded footprint in India. Its other four plants are at Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat (Ahmedabad), Karnataka.

Established at the centre of the chemical hub of India, the strategic location gives the company close access to the Northern and Western markets that drive majority of the demand in the segment. The plant boasts of a bulk line manufacturing facility for supplying standard and specialty TF, KF/NTNK inks.

The plant, called Optima plant, boasts latest technological features to cater to the growing demand in the country at present. The plant has also been designed to accommodate future expansion needs of the company. The Optima plant will also work towards strengthening the company’s business in export markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Paul Koek, Regional Managing Director, DIC Asia Pacific said, ”The Indian market is a priority market for DIC group and this new manufacturing facility has been established with the vision of catering to the new demand as well as usher in new growth prospects for us in the country. As a market leader in printing ink manufacturing, we are bringing more advancement in our manufacturing processes to augment our quality and customer service, meet the rising demand and maintain global standard at all our touch points. This facility , with a strong inbuilt design features which will expand sustainability footprint of DIC India will benefit customers, generate employment as well as solidify our over 75 years presence and leadership in India.”

Mr. Manish Bhatia,MD & CEO at DIC India Limited, said, “India is a strategic market for us and our long standing journey in the country is a testimony to the success we have achieved over the years. The market is witnessing increased demand for technological superior and specialty printing inks for packaging. The inauguration of the new facility is another stepping stone for the company’s future expansion plans here. The new plant set up has been constructed using leading technological features to modernize as well as to increase production efficiencies. This plant is a completely Toluene free plant for DIC India. We are optimistic that the manufacturing facility will help in catering to both domestic as well as international demand and expand our footprint in India.”

Out of the plant’s 92,500 sqm, 45,000sqm has already been constructed under Phase 1. The area will be used for consolidation of different plants and different types of products of DIC Indian Operations.

DIC is in the process of getting green certification for site . This will be probably the first plant in India to achieve this accreditation. Optima site, as the plant is called produced TF and KF products are also compliance with international regulations. The company also aims to achieve ISO and OSHAS certification post the stabilizing of production of the Optima plant by the year 2023-34.The plant will support our customers in their sustainability compliance.

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