Maruzen to run Chiba MEK unit at 75% in September

27 August 2008 05:17  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Maruzen Petrochemical will continue to run its 170,000 tonne/year methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) plant in Chiba, Japan, at a reduced rate of 70-75% in September due to a shortage of butadiene feedstock, a company official said on Wednesday.

The producer had been running the plant at the above rate since July shortly after resuming operations on 26 June following a scheduled turnaround.

Lower production at Asia’s largest MEK facility could further raise regional spot prices, which have been steadily rising especially in southeast (SE) Asia due to limited spot availability.

Spot prices in SE Asia edged higher by $10/tonne to $1,680-1,700/tonne CFR (cost and freight) SE Asia last week, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

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By: Peh Soo Hwee
+65 6780 4359

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