Thai petchem industry seeks approval for projects

06 August 2007 09:29  [Source: ICIS news]

By Daniel Ten Kate

BANGKOK (ICIS news)--A top Thai petrochemical industry executive has called on the government on Monday to approve environmental impact assessments for several new projects in Map Ta Phut amid reports that protesters are again raising red flags.

“We have raised the issue with the government that there must be some review of the environmental impact assessments of new projects in Rayong,” Supachai Watanangura, head of the Petrochemical Industry Club at the Federation of Thai Industries, told ICIS news.

Among the projects awaiting approval is Dow Chemical’s plan to build a major ethylene plant in Mab Ta Phut in conjunction with Siam Cement Group, Thailand’s largest industrial conglomerate.

Dow had planned to announce downstream projects for the cracker later this year, possibly including a hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) plant and a range of PO derivatives.

“I do fear these projects may go elsewhere but I am hoping the companies will be tolerant enough and that we might hear some good news later this month when the National Environment Board meets,” Supachai said.

“It’s not so much the projects themselves that need to make adjustments, but it’s the stance of the regulations stipulated by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning,” he added. “That office will have to look at the regulations again and see if they can move.”

The Nation newspaper reported this week that local environmental leaders in Rayong opposed the planning office’s earlier move to approve gas separation plants, an oil refinery, power plants and about 19 petrochemical projects in the province.

The leaders claimed that the Industry Ministry had reneged on an agreement to no longer allow industrial development in the area.

Supachai said that the latest reports from the Pollution Control Department have been “favourable” about air quality in Rayong and petrochemical companies have taken several steps to mitigate the fallout from dangerous emissions.

“Right now the protesters are mainly against the setting up of coal-fired power plants by IRPC as they are worried about air quality,” he said.

“But in fact the protests have cooled down a lot compared to before so I am hopeful we can see progress on the investments.”

By: Daniel Ten Kate
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