NewsFlashDow Boehlen, Germany cracker at 50%

08 September 2006 14:15  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Dow’s 510,000 tonnes/year cracker at Boehlen, Germany was running at 50% of capacity and was not expected to reach full rates until 16 September, a company source said on Friday.

“It’s been running at 50% since last week,” the source said.

The cracker was originally expected to be back to 100% this week but a problem emerged on restart with the result that the company had to cool the furnaces again.

Boehlen's unplanned reduction in rates has exacerbated further the current tight supply situation, adding to the current spate of unscheduled outages amid a raft of planned cracker shutdowns. Among unplanned outages were Shell's Wesseling, Germany crackers and Total's cracker at Gonfreville in France.

Spot ethylene (C2) and propylene (C3) prices have soared above third quarter contract levels as a result.

Ethylene spot prices were assessed  at $1,400/tonne (around €1,100/tonne) CIF (cost, insurance and freight) Northwest Europe by global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing. Third quarter ethylene contract prices were settled at €900/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE.

Propylene spot prices have soared to record highs in excess of €1,000/tonne CIF NWE. Third quarter contracts were settled at €830/tonne FD NWE.

By: Nel Weddle
+44 20 8652 3214

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