India’s Deepak raises IPA plant op rate to 80%

08 July 2008 09:02  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--India’s Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals has raised operating rates at its 70,000 tonne/year isopropanol (IPA) plant to 80% this week due to an improvement in water quality, traders said on Tuesday.

"The water quality is improving so Deepak’s IPA plant has able to increase its rate to 80% of capacity for the past two days," one trader said.

"The right quality of water is required for steam generation, which is necessary to run the plant. The water became sludgy after the monsoon began, which made it difficult to generate steam," he added.

Deepak had cut production at the Mumbai-based plant by 40% to 60% after the onset of the monsoon in mid-June following a two-week turnaround, which began on 20 May.

Deepak had increased its prices by rupees (Rs)3/kg ($0.07/kg) to Rs 75/kg ex-wharf with effect from 1 July and traders expected another Rs 2-3/kg hike in prices on 1 August.

($1 = Rs43.28)

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By: Desmond Chia
+65 6780 4359

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