Sinopec and Toray Form DMSO Production/Sales JV in Hebei     

Sinopec Asset Management Corporation has signed an agreement with Toray Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan based Toray Industries, Inc., to establish a joint venture to produce and sell dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in China. Sinopec released July 10th.
   The 60 : 40 jv - Cangzhou Toray Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. between Toray Fine Chemicals and Sinopec Asset Management is located at Cangzhou city, Hebei province, northern China. The jv will operate Sinopec Asset Management's production facility for dimethyl sulfide (DMS), an intermediate of DMSO, and construct a new facility to produce 10 000 tons of DMSO a year and sell these products. The total investment is expected to be US$21 million.
   DMSO has a wide range of applications, including cleaning agent for electronics parts and plants, remover for auto parts molds and reaction solvent for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.
   The demand for DMSO in electronic material applications is expected to grow in China following the entry of Japanese and Taiwanese electronic parts manufacturers into the country. In addition, demand for DMSO is also expected to grow in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical fields.