Kuwait’s TKSC affirms ethylbenzene-SM start-up in Q2 ’09

23 March 2009 06:20  [Source: ICIS news]

(Recasts fifth paragraph for clarity, adds sixth paragraph)

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--The Kuwait Styrene Company (TKSC) has affirmed it will start up its Shuaiba ethylbenzene-styrene monomer (EBSM) unit in the second quarter of the year, reacting to reports the plant had started operating ahead of schedule.

Commissioning activities are on track, it added.

“TKSC noted the inaccuracy of recent media reports claiming the start-up of the 450,000 tonne/year EBSM unit, as well as the news alleging the output of off-spec product by the unit,” the company said.

The company’s EBSM unit would receive feedstock benzene from Kuwait Aromatics’ (KARO) 395,000 tonne/year unit in Shuaiba, Kuwait which would be started up in the third quarter of this year.

TKSC is a joint venture between US chemical major Dow Chemical and Kuwait Aromatics Company (KARO).

Kuwait National Petroleum Co (KNPC) and Petrochemical Industries Co (PIC) have a 40% stake each in KARO, while Qurain Petrochemical Industries Co (QPIC) owns the remaining 20%.

Please visit the complete ICIS plants and projects database
To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect

By: Bohan Loh
+65 6780 4359

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