VITAMIN PLANT PROJECT
The new vitamin plant commenced production in October 1999, slightly after the expected deadline. The new plant is the largest vitamin A plant in China and was built at a cost of $25 million.
The contract to construct the plant was placed with Hough Worldwide Construction of the US. Hough specialises in projects which involve feed milling technology, such as at the vitamin plant. Hough claims to have been involved in the construction of more than 100 projects in China since 1979 including plants that vary in capacity from five million to 150 tonnes per hour.
For its automation needs, the plant uses a Siemens process control system (brand name SIMATIC PCS 7). This controls the process with over 1,700 inputs and outputs. The contract for the system included SIPART DR controllers, as well as the performance specification, implementation of the user software, testing and commissioning, and training of the plant personnel. The different parts are linked on a Profibus fieldbus.
Roche also owns a vitamin premix plant through a joint venture which was first opened in 1996, and now forms a part of the company's operations. The premix plant can therefore get material from the commonly owned vitamin plant, giving it a secure and convenient source of supply. The plant complex therefore serves as a good example of economies of scale.