Recently, the Jintang New Materials Project—a venture under Rongsheng Petrochemical—achieved a major technical breakthrough. According to a report by CCTV News, a critical supporting component of the project—a cross-sea petrochemical pipe rack—was successfully installed in Zhoushan, Zhejiang. This operation marked the first time in China that a large-span, high-tonnage structure has been precisely hoisted and positioned at such a height over the sea.
The individual module hoisted in this operation weighed 515 tons and measured 43 meters in length, setting a new national record for this type of construction and filling a technical gap in the installation of high-tonnage, offshore pipe racks.
Often described as the "aerial artery" of a petrochemical complex, the pipe rack serves as the vital link between raw materials and production processes. The construction site—located high above the sea—presented extreme challenges, including soft, unstable tidal flat soil and constant interference from sea winds, which demanded an exceptionally high degree of precision.
To navigate these complex conditions, the Rongsheng Petrochemical project team employed an innovative, integrated construction approach combining "transportation, hoisting, and sliding." For the lifting phase, the team utilized a 1,600-ton class crawler crane paired with a proprietary, self-developed 600-ton specialized frame-type balance beam. This solution effectively addressed common industry challenges—such as the tendency for large-span, heavy-load modules to deform or lose stability—enabling "millimeter-level" precision during high-altitude positioning.
As a key strategic move to extend Rongsheng Petrochemical’s industrial chain, the Jintang New Materials Project involves a total investment of approximately 67.5 billion yuan. It includes plans for 27 major production units and 16 supporting utility facilities. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate an annual output value of 91.7 billion yuan, focusing on the development of new material supply chains, including high-performance resins, biodegradable plastics, specialty polyesters, and high-end fibers.
The successful installation of this cross-sea pipe rack not only signifies that the project has cleared a major technical hurdle, but also demonstrates Rongsheng Petrochemical’s leading capabilities in the construction of ultra-large-scale petrochemical infrastructure, laying a solid foundation for the project’s high-quality commissioning.
