INEOS Phenol to mothball Texas cumene plant

16 April 2009 16:42  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--INEOS Phenol will mothball its 550,000/tonne Port Arthur cumene plant in Texas, but the company could not be immediately reached for more details on Thursday.

The step is influenced by the current market environment, existing commitments, and would help balance the markets, INEOS said in a press release.

The decision would also result in a temporary reduction of 15 employees, said operations director Andreas Pohlmann.

Cumene is a raw material for phenol and acetone. Phenol/acetone plants are running at 50% operating rates due to weak phenol demand.

US cumene prices are 24 cents/lb ($529/tonne, €402/tonne), according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

Flint Hills Resources, Georgia Gulf, INEOS, Sunoco and Shell are among the major US cumene producers.

 ($1 = €0.76)

For more on cumene visit ICIS chemical intelligence
For more on INEOS visit ICIS company intelligence
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By: Heather McGuire Doyle
+1 713 525 2653

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