NewsFlashFPCC may shut cracker next week

13 July 2007 04:40  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Formosa Petrochemicals Corp (FPCC), Asia’s largest cracker operator, is considering shutting its No 1 unit next week for repairs due to an ongoing compressor problem, a company source said on Friday.

"We have maintained low operating rate of 80% this week … as the compressor problem still persists," the source said, adding that the cracker would be maintained at the same operating rate over the weekend.

The cracker in Mailiao, east coast of Taiwan, and also the company’s smallest unit, produces 700,000 tonnes/year of ethylene and 500,000 tonnes/year of propylene.

A decision on the shutdown would be clearer by Monday and if it goes ahead, the cracker could be shut for about a week, the source added.

The impact of FPCC’s impending No 1 cracker shutdown could affect sentiment in the spot ethylene market as supply could tighten further in the domestic market.

FPCC’s No 2 900,000 tonne/year cracker at Mailiao is scheduled for maintenance on 3 September.

By: Nurul Darni
65 6789 4359

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