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CHAPTER 5 Innovation and technology

Sale of license and basic engineering at PIA plant In 2015 we sold the first license and basic engineering for the construction of a petrochemical plant to produce 100,000 tonnes per year of PIA (purified isophthalic acid) to OMAN Oil, in Oman. PIA manufacturing uses a technology developed during the past ten years by the Research Center and the Petrochemical area at Gua- darranque plant in San Roque.

Development of new catalysts In 2015 we initiated two projects for the development of new catalysts to increase the production of aromatic raw materials for our petrochemical area. These two new catalysts will be manufactured and loaded into our industrial units throughout 2016. They have been developed in collabo- ration with UOP.

Design and patent of a new petrochemical products loading and unloading system We have developed a pioneering system for loading and unloading of petrochemical products at the Port of Huelva. It involves various hoses that allow different products to be loaded at the same time, also offering a higher pumping rate. Loading and unloading times are reduced by between 50% and 60%, with an estimated saving of 2,160 hours of berthing per year and 20% lower occupancy at the facilities.