Poland’s ZAP considers Caprolactam shutdown

28 November 2008 14:45  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Poland’s Zaklady Azotowe Pulawy (ZAP) is considering shutting down its caprolactam production in Pulawy due to poor demand, a company source confirmed on Friday.

 

“We are still running (caprolactam production) but the rate is below 50% and we are seriously thinking about shutting down,” confirmed the source.

 

“I think that it will be very difficult to restart and it can be a big impact for supply and future prices trend,” he said.

 

ZAP’s news follows recent reports that other European caprolactam producers were cutting production or halting it altogether.  

 

This week, Czech polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and caprolactam maker Spolana reported that it will reduce production by up to 50% from December and may have to cut wages and make lay-offs due to poor demand.

 

DSM temporarily shut its caprolactam plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, amid weak demand for the product. It was reported that DSM decided to idle the plant at the end of October.

BASF has been running its caprolactam production in Antwerp, Belgium, and Ludwigshafen, Germany, at reduced operating rates since June because of a slowdown in demand.

In addition, Domo Caproleuna was running production at reduced rates at its Leuna facility and Lanxess was doing so in Antwerp.

 

For more on caprolactam visit ICIS chemical intelligence

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By: Julia Meehan
+44 20 8652 3214

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