INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT) and Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Co, Ltd celebrated the successful start-up of the first phase of Hengli's purified terephthalic acid (PTA) project in Changxing Island of Dalian, Liaoning Province. The world-scale PTA plant utilizes INVISTA's market leading PTA process technology, provided to Hengli under a license agreement. INVISTA and Hengli signed the technology licensing agreement in May 2010.

Construction of the plant started shortly after that date. In addition to the licensing of its PTA process technology, INVISTA provided design, procurement, training and start-up services, and continues to provide commissioning service in support of the project.

"We are proud to be a part of the celebration today, not just because of the successful start-up of this world-scale PTA plant, but also for a project of such scale completed on an accelerated schedule," said Steve Kromer, senior vice president of IPT at INVISTA. "The successful start-up represents a significant milestone in our relationship with Hengli, as this is our first project together." "We thank the support of the local government on the project. We also appreciate the high efficiency and professionalism of the Hengli project team and their close cooperation with our licensing team, all of whom have helped make this successful start-up possible," said Kromer. With INVISTA's innovative technology in PTA manufacturing, this project also signifies INVISTA's commitment to supporting China's development in the areas of advanced technology and value-added industrial developments.