Sumitomo runs Chiba BTX at low rates on demand

21 August 2008 06:44  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical has reduced operating rates at its Chiba-based plant producing benzene, toluene and mixed xylenes (BTX) from early July due to poor economics, said a company source late on Wednesday.

Operating rates at the BTX unit was running slightly lower than its full capacity, said the source and did not specify the exact cut in production levels.

The reduction in its aromatics production was in line with the 4% cut in the cracker’s production levels, he added.

Poor economics and poor demand from downstream segments like styrene monomer (SM) were cited as some of the main reasons for cut.

The company produces about 150,000 tonnes/year of benzene, 60,000 tonnes/year of toluene and 30,000 tonnes/year of solvent grade xylene.

The fall in BTX production also comes alongside the almost 20% cut in the Chiba-based SM plant, he said.

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By: Mahua Chakravarty
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