Taiwan's FCFC runs No 2 and No 3 aromatics normally

01 August 2011 09:05  [Source: ICIS news]

(Recasts lead and fifth paragraph for clarity)

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Formosa Chemical and Fibres Corp (FCFC) is running both its No 2 and No 3 aromatics units at Mailiao following the blast at the group’s 540,000 bbl/day refinery complex over the weekend, a company source said on Monday.

Market sources said the Taiwanese government ordered a “rotational closure” of the entire Mailiao refinery and petrochemical complex to thoroughly review safety standards.

“We are waiting for further instructions on exactly which plants need to be shut for the safety standard review,” said the company source.

“We are also unsure when the No 1 unit can be restarted. We are currently in discussions with the government,” he added.

Yunlin county officials were expected to give FCFC permission to restart the No 1 unit in the week ended 29 July, but the recent spate of fires at the group’s Mailiao complex could delay the process, sources said.

The No 1 aromatics facility has been shut since 13 May.

(In tonnes per annum)	Aromatics No 1	Aromatics No 2	Aromatics No 3
Benzene	150,000	470,000	470,000
Paraxylene	270,000	580,000	870,000
Mixed xylenes (isomer)	100,000	100,000	100,000
Orthoxylene	135,000	190,000	150,000

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By: Bohan Loh
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