The complex produces ethylene and PE for the Egyptian market and the upgrade will expand the facility to incorporate production of propylene and PP, increasing overall supply for both domestic and international customers.

The US process control specialist has installed the latest version of its Experion Process Knowledge System, taking just 10 days to complete the work. HPS said the automation improvements will support collective production at the site once the expansion is completed. A timeframe for the project was not disclosed.

“Sidpec is taking a lead in the future of the petrochemicals of Egypt as the government seeks to boost the commercial and competitive success of domestic customers with a wider range of petrochemical products,” said Mansour Belhadj, vice president of sales at HPS.

According to US information provider IHS Markit, Egypt is the top consumer of PP in Africa, using about 4.4 kg of PP per capita, which will increase 5% annually through 2022 on rapid population growth and urbanization.

China aromatics project

In separate news, sister organization Honeywell UOP is providing several licenses for its advanced reforming and aromatics technologies to China’s Shandong Yulong Petrochemical.

The complex in Longkou, Shandong province, currently includes a UOP naphtha hydrotreating unit and CCR Platforming technology to convert naphtha into high-octane gasoline and aromatics.

Shandong Yulong will add UOP’s Olefin Removal Process, Sulfolane technology for aromatics extraction, Isomar isomerization technology and Tatoray technology for toluene disproportionation. When the project is completed, Shandong Yulong will produce 3 million t/y of aromatics.

Author: Ellaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist