BP to shut Wales ethanol plant Fri for catalyst replacement

23 November 2000 13:08  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--BP's Baglan Bay, Wales ethanol plant will be shut on Friday (24 November) for premature replacement of the catalyst.

Hector Ingrams, BP business manager for solvents, told CNI on Thursday said that the 150 000 tonne/year plant is expected to be down for about 15 days.

BP had originally expected to take the plant down earlier this week but has now scheduled the shutdown from tomorrow.

Problems with the catalyst have obliged BP to replace it only about half way through its normal operating life.

BP has already declared force majeure on UK ethanol and ethyl acetate supplies in anticipation of the Baglan Bay closure and following production problems at its Grangemouth, Scotland chemicals complex earlier this year.

The 200 000 tonne/year Grangemouth ethanol plant was brought back onstream about three weeks ago after a maintenance shutdown involving the planned and routine replacement of the catalyst. Ingrams confirmed today that the plant was now operating normally.

BP will maintain its force majeure on UK ethanol and ethyl acetate supplies until after the Baglan Bay plant is back in full production.

By: Neil Sinclair
+44 20 8652 3214

< previous article(ICIS Podcast: Chemical News Central 2 November 2009)

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly