Amur Gas Chemical Complex begins constructing polypropylene production facility
BLAGOVESHCHENSK. Nov 21 (Interfax) - Foundation work has begun on the polypropylene production facility at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (GCC), Amur Region, the GCC said.
Specialists have poured the first 235 cubic meters of mortar into the foundation of the future extrusion building, where the final product, polypropylene granules, will be obtained. The total height of the extrusion building with equipment mounted on its roof will be 72 meters. Construction workers will have to pour 4,700 cubic meters of concrete into the foundation.
"The extrusion building will accommodate two parallel production lines. Twin-screw extruders with pumps, two silos, storage tanks for finished products, each with capacity of 880 cubic meters, which are installed on the roof, as well as a vibrating screen for granules with a capacity of 32 tonnes per hour, will be installed here. Cyclones will be installed to filter exhaust gases, which will prevent air pollution, to preserve the environment," Alexander Chernyshev, chief expert for general construction work at the Amur GCC, said.
Extrusion is one of the key stages in the production of polyethylene and polypropylene, where molten polymers are formed into granules or other shapes. Additives may be used to control the properties of the polymer during the extrusion process, allowing to adapt to various customer requirements. The extruder intensively mixes the polymer, ensuring proper distribution of additives and achieving product homogeneity.
The company reminds that five polymer lines will operate at the Amur GCC, namely one to produce polypropylene and four to produce polyethylene.
As reported, Amur GCC was to have been built with European companies like Linde and Technimont participating. Some of the equipment, particularly the pyrolysis unit, was manufactured, though the companies exited the project in 2022. SIBUR and Sinopec decided to revise the strategy to implement the project. They have redesigned it, changing contractors and licensors for the polyethylene and polypropylene units. The project involves producing 2.3 million tonnes of polyethylene and 400,000 tonnes of polypropylene. Construction is coordinated with gradually ramping up Gazprom's Amur Gas Processing Plant to full capacity, which will supply raw materials, namely ethane and LPG.
Amur GCC is planned to be ready mechanically for 2026 [a two-year shift compared to the previous construction schedule], and production is expected to begin there in 2027.
