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Apical Oleochemicals Taixing Produces First Batch of Lauric Acid

By April 25, 2023No Comments

Apical Oleochemicals (Taixing) Co., Ltd has produced its first batch of lauric acid (acid LA1299), which has also marked the successful completion of the pilot production run for the first phase of the Oleochemicals Integration Complex project.

Apical Oleochemicals (Taixing) Co., Ltd has produced its first batch of lauric acid (acid LA1299), which has also marked the successful completion of the pilot production run for the first phase of the Oleochemicals Integration Complex project.

The lauric acid manufactured by the company is mainly used in the production and manufacturing of daily chemicals, food, medicine, and lubricants. Additionally, the lauric acid is directly supplied to chemical enterprises operating in the health and beauty sector located in the Taxing Chemical Industry Zone.

The total area of the Oleochemical Integration Complex is 27 hectares and it has an annual production capacity of one million tons of stearic acid, hydrogenated palm stearin, non-hydrogenated fatty acids, and apicerine refined glycerine. Apical has expanded its business in China through the new production facility. This project is an extension of the Group’s existing palm oil business segment, aimed at creating a green oleochemical industry cluster that is safe, environmentally friendly, low in energy consumption, and high in added value. Apical has plans to launch other projects such as surfactant and oil refining, warehousing, and processing in Taixing, and the company’s China headquarters and R&D centre will also be located in the area.

The new facility is fully automated with world-class process technology and equipment is the largest oleochemical integration complex in China supported by foreign direct investment. Construction for the first phase of the project began in July 2021, with an annual capacity of 577,000 tons, and development on phase two is currently underway.

The project construction and operation team overcame numerous challenges, including complex permit approvals and difficulties with logistics and personnel caused by pandemic prevention controls. The project took 20 months from approval to initial production and was completed at least six months ahead of industry norms, breaking records for the construction of comparable chemical production projects.

The implementation of this project is expected to stimulate trade, warehousing, and logistics activities, and to facilitate research and development and the processing of palm oil and associated products in the area. In turn, this is likely to foster the formation of industrial clusters and will enable Apical to expand its presence in the chemical, medical and health and beauty industries in China.