Japan’s Asahi Kasei to restart adipic acid plant in H1 June

02 June 2010 05:48  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Asia’s largest adipic acid producer, Asahi Kasei, is scheduled to restart its 120,000 tonne/year plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki prefecture, within the first half of June following a one-month turnaround, a company official said on Wednesday.

“We plan to restart the plant in the next two weeks,” the official said.

The ongoing and impending plant turnarounds in Japan and China were likely to keep adipic acid supply tight until the end of June, he added.

Buyers in China and Taiwan, on the other hand, were minimising purchases as the downstream polyurethane/shoe sole sectors were entering into its low manufacturing season.

Adipic acid spot prices slipped $50/tonne (€41) from record highs to $2,600–2,700/tonne CFR (cost & freight) northeast Asia following deals for June cargoes, according to global chemical market intelligence service ICIS pricing.

Adipic acid is primarily used in the production of nylon 6,6, as well as in the manufacturing of polyurethanes, which is used in shoe soles and polyester resins. Nylon 6,6, is used for the manufacture of tyre cord.

Major adipic acid suppliers to northeast Asia include PetroChina Liaoyang Petrochemical, Rhodia Polyamide and BASF.

($1 = €0.82)

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By: Helen Lee
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