Maoming Petrochemical's 1 million tons of ethylene expansion project has marked a new milestone in the company's development. Following the completion of China's largest 300,000-ton-per-year polypropylene plant, the company successfully launched its 350,000-ton-per-year high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant on August 28. The product quality met national standards, and the facility achieved a safe and efficient one-time commissioning. Li Anxi, deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and general manager of Maoming Petrochemical Company, expressed his condolences and congratulations to the frontline workers at the site.
The 350,000-ton-per-year HDPE plant, which cost over 600 million yuan, is currently the world's largest production unit with the most advanced technology. It utilizes Chevron-Phillips' ring pipe slurry process, known for its large single-line capacity and wide range of product applications. The plant can produce various materials such as blown plastic, film, wire coating, pipe material, injection molding, and over 20 grades of cable materials. This project fills a gap in Guangdong’s plastic production variety, contributing to optimizing the ethylene product structure, enhancing post-processing capabilities, and promoting regional economic growth.
As one of the four new facilities in Maoming’s 1 million-ton ethylene expansion, the HDPE plant features the highest technical complexity, including nine core equipment units such as reactor circulation pumps and catalyst activation furnaces. Many of the process systems were introduced for the first time in China, making the construction extremely challenging. To ensure high-quality installation, the Maoming Petrochemical Engineering Project Management Department coordinated closely with design, supervision, and construction teams, mobilizing more than 2,000 technical experts. Working alongside foreign specialists, they strictly followed technical standards. All 135 imported devices were installed by the end of May, and the entire project was completed in just 17 months, meeting high standards by June.
To prepare for production, the Maoming Petrochemical Chemical Division focused on large-scale technology and new features. They invited foreign experts to teach key processes and sent employees to visit similar facilities in other enterprises. By taking advantage of engineering inspections, they gained hands-on experience with the equipment and processes. They also conducted live-process competitions, anti-accident drills, and special technical lectures to help staff quickly master the latest technologies. In addition, they meticulously followed the start-up plan for purging, airtightness testing, and trial operations to ensure the facility was ready for operation. During the startup phase, employees worked together efficiently, responded calmly, and ensured stability. Within just six hours, the entire process was successfully initiated, achieving a smooth and successful production run.
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