By Patrick Raleigh, UT On-line news editorNorthfield, Illinois-Stepan Co. has entered an aromatic polyester polyols (APPs) joint venture with Sinopec, Jinling Petrochemical Corp. in China. The JV will operate a 20-kilotonnes-per annum APP facility in Nanjing to supply the Chinese market, Stepan announced 12 Feb."This joint venture is another step in our programme of globalisation and continuing to fulfill the needs of our customers around the world," said F. Quinn Stepan, chief executive officer of Stepan, in the company statement. Sinopec, Jinling Petrochemical is the largest producer of phthalic anhydride in China, is strategically located to supply the growing domestic demand for polyols, according to Stepan.The Nanjing unit will joint Stepan's existing APP production setup-a 100-ktpa plant in Millsdale, Illinois; and 30-ktpa plant in Wesseling, Germany. "
