Invista brings latest ADN technology to China

INVISTA Intermediates is to build a 300,000 t/y, world-scale adiponitrile (ADN) plant in China, at an estimated cost of more than US$1bn. Construction is targeted for 2020, and production to begin in 2023.

ADN is an intermediate of nylon 6,6 which is used to produce engineering polymers and fibres. The plant will make ADN using Invista’s latest technology, in an effort to satisfy China’s strong, local demand for the intermediate.

“Given China’s strong demand for ADN and its commitment to advanced, energy-efficient technologies, Invista’s butadiene-based ADN is the best choice for capital investment in the region,” said Kyle Redlinger, vice president of Invista Intermediates, Asia Pacific.

Currently, ADN is only made at four major plants world-wide – Ascend and Invista in the US, Butachimie in France, and Asahi Kasei in Japan, according to data from IHS Markit.

Redlinger added: “The last world-scale plant was constructed more than 35 years ago, so this is a special time for the industry, and I am extremely proud to lead Invista’s efforts to deliver this new facility.”

Over the past five years Invista has invested more than US$600m in China’s nylon market, including a 215,000 t/y hexamethylenediamine – a precursor of nylon 6,6 made from the hydrogenation of ADN – plant, and a 150,000 t/y nylon 6,6 polymer plant at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park.

The location of the ADN plant has not yet been decided.