On the afternoon of the 14th, an explosion occurred at the Changlian Petrochemical Plant in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China (Review of previous events: An explosion occurred at Zhuhai Changlian Petrochemical). On the same day, a foreign chemical plant was not so lucky. So far, one person has died and at least nine others have been injured.
What’s even more terrible is that the explosion factory is also a major manufacturer of chemical raw materials, and the accident occurred in a large industrial park in Europe. Could it be that the price of chemical raw materials is going to rise again?
European large-scale industrial park suffered a sudden disaster Explosion in scale! More than 10 people were killed or injured!
On the evening of the 14th local time, a large-scale explosion occurred at a chemical plant in Tarragona, a port city in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. One person was killed and at least nine others were killed. were injured, three of them seriously.
△Explosion scene
After the accident, more than 20 fire trucks, 11 emergency vehicles and a helicopter went to the scene for rescue. According to the Associated Press, a spokesman for the city government where the chemical plant is located said that a preliminary investigation showed that the explosion killed a resident of a nearby residential area. The local fire department said on Twitter that the man died in a building affected by the explosion.
Catalan Interior Minister Miquel Buch said that nine workers were injured in the explosion factory, three of them seriously injured, and one person is missing. Local residents posted videos of the aftermath of the explosion, which showed flames and a large plume of black smoke rising from a large industrial area.
The local government said: “About 30 people are currently performing emergency work in the area near the explosion to cool nearby storage tanks containing chemicals. In addition, there is still a small fire burning, and staff are working on Carry out cooling and fire extinguishing.” The local defense department advised nearby residents to close doors and windows as much as possible and stay indoors, and said there is currently no evidence that toxic gases were produced by the explosion. Nearby roads were temporarily closed and train services in neighboring Tarragona province were suspended.
△Explosion scene
△Explosion scene
The company involved in the accident is the only manufacturer of ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol in Spain and Portugal !
According to the official website of the company where the incident occurred, IQOXE is the only ethylene oxide producer in Spain. 50% of this is used to produce ethylene glycol, one of the main raw materials for the production of PET polymers. Ethylene oxide is a compound used in the manufacture of detergents, solvents and other products.
According to the company, the company’s business scope includes: ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, PEG, polyols, alkanes Oxylation, ethoxylation, monovinylation, divinylation, triethanol alcohol, methoxy polyethylene glycol, macrophage, polyethylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol Glycol, ethoxylated, polyethylene glycol, copolymer.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has contacted Catalonia’s regional leaders to inquire about the explosion and provide needed help, the local government said.
The Associated Press reported that since 2015, Tarragona has built a 1,200-hectare “Chemical Center” industrial park, which is the largest of its kind in Southern Europe.
North America and Western Europe were once the main export regions of ethylene oxide!
It is worth mentioning that the area where the chemical plant where the accident occurred is the main export area for ethylene oxide derivatives.
Ethylene oxide is a flammable and explosive dangerous chemical, and its transportation and distance are greatly restricted. Globally, only a small amount of commodity ethylene oxide is transported by road to downstream factories, and some is transported through nearby pipelines. Most is supplied to manufacturers’ own downstream devices to produce derivatives. . This has resulted in significant regional differences in the production of commodity ethylene oxide, while differences in demand composition and unsynchronized development between different regions have contributed to the uneven distribution of global commodity ethylene oxide production.
However, the international trade of ethylene oxide derivatives is very active and plays a positive role in balancing global commodity ethylene oxide resources. Before 2013, North America and Western Europe were the main export regions for ethylene oxide derivatives, and the fast-growing Asian (especially China) market became the main target area for many exporting countries. At present, as the Middle East has also joined the ranks of exporters of ethylene oxide derivatives, coupled with the rapid expansion of China’s production capacity, the trade pattern of ethylene oxide derivatives has quietly changed. However, my country’s dependence on imports is still difficult to change in a short time. North America�The status of exporters of ethylene oxide derivatives in Western Europe remains high.
According to this, the accident may increase domestic ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol and other prices for a period of time. Prices of various chemical products such as derivatives.
Is the price of raw materials about to skyrocket?
Will the explosion quickly affect the price of related raw materials? The editor checked the market prices on the 15th and found that the impact of the incident has not yet affected the country.
▷ Ethylene oxide
On the 15th, the quotation of ethylene oxide was temporarily stable.
A 180,000-ton/year ethylene oxide unit in Jiangsu Sirbon is operating normally, with self-use accounting for about 60%. The current quotation is 7,600 yuan/ton, and the goods are shipped according to order.
Sanjiang Chemical’s two sets of 60,000 tons/year ethylene oxide units have been shut down indefinitely. Part of the Phase 6 co-production unit was converted to produce ethylene glycol, and the rest produces ethylene oxide normally. . The spot ex-factory quotation of EO is 7,600 yuan/ton, and the goods are shipped according to order.
Levima Group’s two ethylene oxide units with a total of 120,000 tons/year are operating normally. The ethylene oxide is mainly used for self-use and export sales are limited. The current ex-factory quotation for ethylene oxide is 7,800 yuan/ton, and the actual transaction price is mainly subject to negotiation.
Ethylene oxide quotation of Sinopec North China Sales Branch: Tianjin Petrochemical, Sinopec Sinopec’s ethylene oxide ex-factory quotation is 7,800 yuan/ton, and the devices in the region are operating at full capacity, demand Good, shipped as ordered. Device news: Beijing Dongfang ethylene oxide device has been permanently shut down.
Ningbo Fude MTO process olefins, a set of ethylene oxide equipment of 60,000 tons/year, the current factory quotation of ethylene oxide is 7,600 yuan/ton, and the goods are shipped according to order .
The ethylene oxide ex-factory quotation of PetroChina Northeast Company: Jilin Petrochemical’s EO price is 7,900 yuan/ton, Fushun Petrochemical and Liaoyang Petrochemical’s EO price is 7,900 yuan/ton, and factory orders are mainly shipped. .
▷ Ethylene glycol
On the 15th, the price of ethylene glycol has not been affected by the incident. The market is relatively cool. There is also a downward trend in prices in some areas.
Be careful to prevent the subsequent impact of the incident and stock up in time!
Since the incident occurred abroad and the specific losses have not been announced in time, the price response of related domestic raw material prices has been mediocre. The accident did not affect the supply of raw materials to the domestic chemical market in a short period of time.
However, it is worth noting that the accident occurred in a large industrial park in Western Europe, and nearby factories may also be affected by the accident. The editor still reminds everyone to pay attention to the subsequent impact of the incident in a timely manner. Stock small quantities at the right time. Be careful that price increases during the Chinese New Year affect shipments after the new year. After all, some factories are already on holiday and logistics are also shutting down one after another. It would be bad if it affects the first huge sum of money after the new year!
In addition, I would like to warmly remind all old friends that the Chinese New Year is coming soon. Please cheer up, pay attention to safety, and go home safely! Factories that have already closed for the holidays should also conduct safety inspections and have a safe New Year! </p
