European Chemical Industry News & Insights

TOTAL and DOMO Chemicals Launch 60 Million Euro Benzene Project

At a glance
  • The project involved a 60 million euro investment.
  • Construction lasted 3 years and was accident-free.
  • Operations began in early 2018.
  • The project includes a new benzene unit and a 1.6 km pipeline.

Project Inauguration

TOTAL Raffinerie Mitteldeutschland and DOMO Chemicals inaugurated a 60 million euro benzene production and extraction project in Leuna. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Reiner Haseloff, and around 120 other guests.

Project Details

The project involved constructing a new unit at the refinery to enrich an intermediate product from gasoline production. This benzene-cut is transported through a 1.6 km pipeline to a new DOMO unit for producing chemical products. Both units began operation at the start of 2018, following a 3-year, accident-free construction period.

Strategic Importance

For DOMO Chemicals, the project secures a competitive position in the global market by ensuring access to benzene, a crucial raw material for their integrated polyamide 6 chain. The refinery already supplies propylene, essential for producing Caprolactam and polyamide 6, used in various industries including food packaging, automotive, and textiles.

Collaborative Efforts

DOMO and TOTAL Raffinerie Mitteldeutschland have a long-standing partnership. This project strengthens their integration within the Leuna chemical park, enhancing the competitiveness of the complex and leveraging synergy effects. The collaboration underscores the success of the chemical park model developed in Saxony-Anhalt.