Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Co (ZRCC) in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has completed its Phase II expansion on Dec 19, setting new industry records in innovation, smart technology, and energy efficiency.

The completion of the Phase II expansion and advanced materials project has increased ZRCC's refining capacity to 40 million metric tons per year, pushing the total refining capacity of the Ningbo petrochemical base to over 50 million tons. This achievement places the base at the forefront of the global petrochemical industry in terms of scale, technology, and competitiveness.

ZRCC, as the largest integrated refining and chemical enterprise under Sinopec, leads the world in ethylene production with an annual capacity of 2.2 million tons and is a top performer in global ethylene benchmarking.

With a total investment of 41.6 billion yuan ($5.69 billion), the Phase II project strengthens multiple high-value industrial chains, supplying nearly 8 million tons of products annually. This enhances key industries such as automobiles, home appliances, and textiles in the Yangtze River Delta region, significantly increasing economic value across upstream and downstream sectors.

Among the project's achievements are the domestically developed world's largest vertical labyrinth compressor and the widespread use of smart technologies, including a fully localized industrial operating system and the "Smart Petrochemical Cloud" platform. Energy-saving measures have led to an 11.7-percent reduction in energy consumption. The project also maintained exceptional safety standards, with over 90 million safe work hours and a 100 percent quality pass rate.

Chen Yanbin, secretary of ZRCC's Party committee, highlighted the project's contribution to enhancing the competitiveness of domestic high-end chemical products and supporting the high-quality development of China's petrochemical industry.

ZRCC's petrochemical industrial base in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]