German firm BASF and Sinopec are to establish a world-scale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming, Guangdong, China. INA is a feedstock used for the production of next-generation plasticisers.

Under the terms of the feasibility study, a new 50-50 joint venture will be formed, BASF MPCC. Pre-approval has been received from the Maoming Administration of Industry and Commerce for the name of the venture. The partners expect to begin production at the new plant around the middle of 2015.

The full integration of the new INA plant into the existing petrochemical site of MPCC in Maoming will allow for a comprehensive system for managing energy as well as minimising water use, emissions, and waste. The approval process has begun for the environmental impact assessment.

INA is used as feedstock for the production of next generation plasticizers, including diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and non-phthalate plasticiser Hexamoll DINCH.

BASF and Sinopec jointly operate BASF-YPC, a 50-50 joint venture between BASF and Sinopec in Nanjing, China. As one of China's largest petrochemical joint ventures, it produces a wide range of high quality chemicals for the rapidly growing Chinese market.