StoHaas acrylic acid outage in Marl adds to storage problems

LONDON (CNI)--An unexpected shutdown at StoHaas Monomer's acrylic acid plant in Marl, Germany is exacerbating difficulties in propylene intake at the site, CNI was informed on Tuesday.

One of the plant's three lines was closed at the beginning of last week due to technical problems. Initial estimates put the shutdown at a few days but the outage is now expected to continue for up to 14 days.

The total loss in propylene consumption is expected to be 2000 tonne.

The outage at StoHaas Monomer, which is a joint venture between Degussa subsidiary Stockhausen and US firm Rohm & Haas, coincides with a scheduled shutdown of Oxeno's oxo-alcohols unit, also at Marl. The Oxeno outage began yesterday (Monday) and will continue until 26 July.

In addition, Degussa's propylene storage facilities at Marl will be squeezed through July and August when its refinery grade and polymer grade storage units will be shutdown for approximately 8-12 weeks. Degussa's two chemical grade storage units will remain open.

Degussa, which is responsible for propylene purchasing for both StoHaas Monomer and Oxeno, confirmed that it is taking usual contractual propylene supplies into its system. However, it has been necessary to defer some July deliveries into August via swap arrangements.