NewsFlashINEOS Polyolefins sets FM on Lillo PP

12 June 2008 10:01  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--INEOS Polyolefins has declared force majeure on its 90,000 tonne/year polypropylene (PP) line at Lillo, Belgium, effective from 11 June, a company source reported on Thursday.

“The asset has suffered recurring problems with low fluidisation flows in the reactor section over the last month, causing failures during start-up and grade transitions,” said the source.

The unit was expected to be down for two-to-three weeks.

INEOS Polyolefins was still thought to retain force majeure on PP from its 300,000 tonne/year Geel PP plant in Belgium, but has lifted restrictions on product from its Grangemouth plant.

The latest update on this plant suggested that full output would not be reached for some weeks, after failing in early May.

PP prices were beginning to respond to a tightening situation in Europe and higher prices globally. The European market had been in oversupply, but several production issues and increased export possibilities.

Homopolymer PP injection prices were moving by €20-30/tonne ($31-46/tonne) in June, leaving spot prices mainly above the €1,100/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe).

SABIC’s force majeure on PP from Geleen in the Netherlands was also still in place.

PP producers in Europe include LyondellBasell, Borealis, Total Petrochemicals, Dow, Repsol and INEOS Polyolefins.

($1 = €0.64)

For more on PP visit ICIS chemical intelligence
To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect

By: Linda Naylor
+44 20 8652 3214

< previous article(VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 3 November 2009)

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