EPCA ’04: Taiwan ACN producer looks beyond China

26 September 2004 16:49  [Source: ICIS news]

MONTE CARLO, Monaco (CNI)--Taiwan-based China Petrochemical Development Corp (CPDC) said here Sunday it plans to expand its acrylonitrile (ACN) market share elsewhere in Asia as its share of mainland China business has stabilised amid strong competition.

 

David Chao, commercial sales manager for Taipei-based CPDC, told CNI today that while his firm’s ACN sales into the mainland have increased 10-15% each year since 2000, the company’s volumes this year have levelled off.

 

“There is new capacity coming online,” Chao noted, “and competition for China business is very strong.”

 

“But we expect to maintain our market share in China,” Chao added, noting that the company saw its export volumes to the mainland climb from some 25 000 tonne/year in 2000 to 80 000 tonne this year.

 

But while working to maintain its position in the mainland ACN market, CPDC plans to gain market share elsewhere in Asia, Chao explained. He said the company will focus new attention on ACN sales in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

 

“There is a lot of potential in those markets,” Chao said. “Demand in each country is already strong, and there is not enough capacity in those countries."

 

CPDC produces and markets caprolactam and acetic acid as well as ACN to the Asia market. Chao said the Asia market is “changing very fast.”

 

Chao spoke with CNI on the sidelines of the 38th annual meeting of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA). The conference runs through Tuesday (29 September).

 

CNI EPCA newsroom: Suite Naiades C, Grand Hotel; Tel. + 377-9315-1070/71

By: Joe Kamalick
+1 713 525 2653

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