Japan Energy conducts study on expansion

28 February 2005 00:01  [Source: ACN]

JAPAN Energy Corp is considering increasing its aromatics capacity, according to company sources.

It was conducting a feasibility study on the expansion project, said one of the sources. The capacities and the plants to be debottlenecked would depend on the outcome of the study, he added. He could not say when the study would be completed.

The local media had said the company planned to increase its total aromatics capacity by 30-50% and that construction is likely to take place during a turnaround in 2006.

The company produces aromatics at three sites. In Chita, it produces 200 000 tonne/year of benzene, 200 000 tonne/year of toluene, 245 000 tonne/year of mixed xylenes, and 380 000 tonne/year of paraxylene (PX).

Over at Mizushima, the company produces 100 000 tonne/year of benzene and 200 000 tonne/year of mixed xylenes (MX).

Its subsidiary, Kashima Oil, produces 235 000 tonne/year of MX and 150 000 tonne/year of PX in Kashima.

The source said Japan Energy planned a turnaround for its aromatics facilities in Kashima in H1 2006. Turnarounds would be in 2007 for the Chita plant and in 2008 for the Mizushima plant.

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