Expansions: Sabic Fujian Petrochemicals to use KBR phenol tech; Borealis/Borouge on track for capacities for XLPE, compounding at Ruwais and HVDC capacity at Antwerp

Tech firm KBR says it has been awarded a contract by Sabic Fujian Petrochemicals to license KBR's phenol technology in China. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design for a 250 kilotonnes phenol plant. The final investment decision for this project was announced in January 2024 with expected completion in 2026.

“We are excited to offer our industry leading phenol technology to Sabic Fujian for this ambitious project in China,” said Jay Ibrahim, President, KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions.

KBR is a global technology licensor and has offered its phenol technology for more than six decades, completing more than 50 phenol projects worldwide.

Sabic Fujian Petrochemicals Co is a joint venture between Sabic Industrial Investment Company (wholly owned by Sabic) and Fujian Fuhua Gulei Petrochemical Co (held by Fujian Energy and Petrochemical Group). Formed in 2022, it is a 51:49 joint venture with Sabic being the majority owner. The complex is the largest single investment joint venture project with foreign investment in Fujian Province to date.

In other news, materials firms Borealis, Borouge have announced significant investments aimed at expanding their global production capacity and product offering. These steps underline their commitment to meeting the current and future needs of the energy industry.

Borealis is co-investing with Adnoc in a 100,000 tonnes capacity expansion at Borouge’s facility in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The plant produces cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) compounds based on Borealis’ propriety Borlink technology. The expansion will support the parties to address the growing demand for wire and cable compounds across Asia and the Middle East. The project is set to be finished by the end of 2025.

Borealis is nearing the completion of a major upgrade to its semicon compounding assets in Antwerp (BE)—part of a EUR200 million investment in its XLPE and semicon assets in Antwerp and Stenungsund (SE). The expansion of the Antwerp facility is critical to meet strong demand for advanced semicon compounds for HVDC applications, particularly for global offshore wind and interconnector projects. It is set to be completed by the third quarter of 2024

As well, since joining the Borealis group in 2020, DYM Solution Co Ltd, based in South Korea, has played a crucial role in enhancing Borealis and Borouge's presence in Asia and the Middle East. Borealis has now begun to multi-source some of its products with DYM for manufacturing. One of the first products to be successfully multi-sourced is a Borealis cable solution, which has already been qualified by local cable producers.

Meanwhile, Baystar, Borealis’ joint venture with TotalEnergies, will begin providing jacketing compounds, enhancing Borealis’ offering to the North American wire and cables industry. This marks a major milestone in Borealis’ geographical expansion strategy.

“By expanding our global asset base and investing in new market-leading products, we are underlining our commitment to the global wire and cable industry. Our investments are aimed at supporting our partners to lay a solid foundation for the future of energy,” Thomas Reutter, Borealis Vice President Product Asset Management and Supply Chain, Commercial Vice President Energy.

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