Borealis Swedish cracker at lower rates; now due down 1 Apr

03 March 2005 15:22  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--Polyolefins producer Borealis said Thursday its cracker at Stenungsund in Sweden is running at reduced rates and is expected to be taken down from 1 April due to technical problems.

 

A company source told CNI a worsening of unexpected high levels of vibration in the main gas compressor of the 610,000 tonne/year ethylene capacity unit has forced the company to bring forward the shutdown originally planned for mid-April.

 

He said the cracker, which has 250 000 tonne/year of propylene capacity, could be stopped anytime between now and the beginning of May, but the aim is to carry out remedial work and maintenance for two weeks starting 1 April. He would not reveal the current operating rates.

 

Force majeure on supplies of ethylene from the site was declared last week. However, the source said there have been no problems with delivery of product so far.

 

Swedish chemicals producer Perstorp confirmed today that its Stenungsund oxo alcohols plant has been continuing to receive normal supplies of propylene from Borealis.

 

(Linda Naylor contributed to this story.)

By: Hilde Ovrebekk
+44 20 8652 3214

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