BP plans Malaysian trimellitic anhydride plant

BP Amoco plc (London, UK) plans to build a new 65,000 mt/yr trimellitic anhydride (TMA) plant at its existing purified terephthalic acid (PTA) complex in Kuantan, Malaysia.

The plant will use BP's newly developed proprietary process technology. M.W.Kellogg Constructors Inc., an affiliate of Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc., will provide engineering, procurement and construction management services for the early phases of the project.

BP expects to complete the $150 million TMA plant by the end of 2002, doubling its capacity to 130,000 mt/yr. The company operates a 65,000 mt/yr TMA unit in Joliet, IL.

"The Kuantan plant demonstrates our commitment to meet the growing product needs of our Asian customers and underscores BP's dedication to strengthening our leadership position in TMA," says BP chemicals chief executive Byron Grote.

Grote notes that the unit BP's technology in both TMA and PTA. BP also emphasizes that the go-ahead demonstrates confidence in Malaysia's future. The company has invested $1.6 billion in petrochemicals, offshore gas production, solar panel manufacturing, and oil retailing and lubricants. This makes it Malaysia's largest British investor.

TMA goes into environmentally compliant coatings and vinyl plasticizers used in wire and cable insulation and automotive interiors.
In addition to TMP, BP's wholly-owned Kuantan chemical facility operates a 600,000 mt/yr plant to make PTA for polyester.

BP also participates in joint ventures with Petronas in Kerteh, Malaysia, for 400,000 mt/yr ethylene, a 250,000 mt/yr polyethylene, and 450,000 mt/yr acetic acid.

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