Spain's CEPSA Quimica to restart Huelva CX line

27 January 2012 11:49  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--CEPSA Quimica will restart its smaller cyclohexane (CX) line at Huelva, southern Spain, over the weekend of 28/29 January following maintenance, a company source confirmed on Friday.

The CX site at Spanish petrochemical group CEPSA’s Huelva refinery has a total capacity of 180,000 tonnes/year.

The smaller of the two lines has a nameplate capacity of 70,000 tonnes/year. Production at the smaller line was halted on Sunday, 22 January.

CX production will not be affected by the shutdown of CEPSA Quimica’s nearby petrochemical facility in Huelva which is expected to last from 21 February until 3 March.

Production at the petrochemical site is being suspended because of a regulatory inspection of its flame stack, which takes place every decade, a company source previously said.

European CX demand has been strong in January because of restocking and high exports to Asia of downstream adipic acid and caprolactam.

Exports have been limited this week by the Lunar New Year.

Caprolactam and adipic acid players are expecting strong demand from Asia once players return from the holiday period because of high prices in the region and a strong US dollar against the euro.

Nevertheless, the shutdown of the smaller Huelva CX line is not expected to have a significant impact on the supply/demand balance in Europe because the timeframe of the shutdown is short, market players said.

($1=€0.76)

For more on CX visit ICIS chemical intelligence

By: Mark Victory
+44 208 652 3214

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