Hengli Refining and Petrochemical Integrated Complex started construction on December 9 in Dalian. [Photo by Song Wei/chinadaily.com.cn]

A refining-chemical integration project began construction on Wednesday near the world's biggest purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production base at Dalian Changxing Island Economic Zone.

It will build a combined aromatic installation with annual production of 4.5 million tons and crude refining and petrochemical integrated complex that can treat 20 million tons of crude oil per year.

Jiangsu-based Hengli Group, the world's biggest weaving enterprise, plans to invest 74 billion yuan ($11.5 billion) into the project and complete the construction in two and half years.

The estimated annual production value is expected to reach 230 billion yuan, said Chen Jianhua, president of Hengli Group.

"It will help extend the production chain of Hengli Group. We introduced the most advanced technologies in the world to make it a safe, environmentally-friendly project," said Chen.

Hengli's PTA production base with an investment of 34 billion yuan at Changxing Island was put into operation in the beginning of 2015. With annual production of 6.6 million tons of purified terephthalic acid and annual sales revenue of 60 billion yuan, it has become the world's largest PTA production base.

PTA is widely used in making textiles, bottles, packaging and film products.