CPC Corporation, Taiwan has selected Sulzer Chemtech’s GT-BTX PluS and GT-Aromatization(SM) technologies along with with Axens’ Prime-G+ technology, to streamline its oil to petrochemical value chain at its Talin Refinery in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Sulzer Chemtech and Axens’ technologies will help CPC Corporation, Taiwan to achieve its energy transition goals by shifting from gasoline to petrochemical production, with the flexibility to respond to market volatility.

CPC Corporation, Taiwan is undertaking an ambitious modernization project of its Talin Refinery, an integrated refining and petrochemical production complex, to address growing petrochemical market needs. More precisely, the company is implementing key technologies to recover high volumes of valuable aromatic hydrocarbons from RFCC gasoline and other fuels.

Sulzer Chemtech’s licensed GT-BTX PluS and GT-Aromatization extractive distillation technologies will play a critical role in advancing this strategy. They will enable the recovery of high-quality key aromatics, namely benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) from RFCC gasoline, as well as convert C4-C8 olefin-rich non-aromatics into additional aromatics.

The two solutions will offer a processing capacity of 32,000 barrels per day of RFCC gasoline and other aromatics-rich streams. To support the refinery in leveraging a highly effective setup, Sulzer Chemtech will provide the technologies, licenses, basic engineering, critical equipment, solvent, and catalyst, as well as technical services.

CPC Corporation,Taiwan will also leverage the alliance between the leading separation technology specialist and Axens to integrate additional hydrotreating solutions within the processing train, further reducing sulfur-based impurities in end products, relying on Axens’ Prime-G+ technology to ensure the selective desulfurization of the gasoline. This will drive the production of high-grade petrochemicals and, ultimately, profitability.

Jim Hsu, Director of Refinery Business Unit at CPC Corporation, comments: “The gasoline market is becoming less attractive, and refiners are looking to produce more petrochemicals. When looking at how to complete our offer to support our customers and drive our competitiveness in the marketplace, we turned to Sulzer Chemtech. We have a long, well-established collaboration and their technology for BTX extraction and associated technology is a unique approach to upgrade RFCC gasoline. Sulzer’s alliance with Axens around the Prime-G+ technology offers a well-proven and efficient solution to ensure flexibility and profitability. Thanks to this project in Talin, we will be able to offer one of the largest, most ambitious plants in Asia Pacific to convert fuels into more profitable petrochemicals.”

Matthew Viergutz, Head of Clean Fuels and Chemical Licensing at Sulzer Chemtech, says: “We are proud to be part of this project with CPC Corporation,Taiwan that will deliver our largest CT-BTX Plus and GT-Aromatization units ever built. This project is also our first joint license together with our partner Axens, demonstrating how our collaboration is helping refineries unlock hidden potential as they adapt their strategies to the latest shifts in the global market. We look forward to a successful project execution and to delivering similar upgrades to other refiners in the future.”