The Graz-based technology company was awarded a contract by Haiwan Chemical to license its leading epiprovite closed-loop technology for a new epichlorohydrin production plant. Under the terms of the contract, KVT will provide Haiwan Chemical with the technology license, process design (PDP), key equipment, and technical and training services for the construction of a 150,000 t/y ECH-G plant in Shandong Province, China. The epichlorohydrin plant will be supported by a 200,000 t/y glycerin plant and associated treatment facility to purify and recycle the brine produced during saponification and the glycerin process. Most of the epichlorohydrin produced is used for the production of epoxy resins.

KVT has implemented the concept of green chemistry and circular economy into its design principles by using renewable raw materials and ensuring internal reuse and recycling of waste streams. The Epiprovit cycle reflects this concept by using crude glycerin, a waste stream from biodiesel production, and excess chlorine from chlor-alkali plants to produce epichlorohydrin. The brine streams generated from glycerin and epichlorohydrin production are purified in the integrated Seabrine plant and fully recycled to the chlor-alkali electrolysis plant as feedstock for the production of caustic soda and chlorine.

Compared to the conventional fossil route, the Epiprovit concept results in a 50 percent increase in renewable feedstock in epichlorohydrin production, a tenfold reduction in wastewater generation, and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. In addition, the purified brine can be directly recycled and reused to produce caustic soda and chlorine without further treatment.