Kuwait's PIC to run Shuaiba PP unit at 70-80% in H1 March

27 February 2012 10:07  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Kuwait's Petrochemical Industries Co (PIC) plans to run its Shuaiba-based polypropylene (PP) plant at 70-80% of capacity for at least 15 days from early March, because of a lack of gas supplies, a company source said on Monday.

The 150,000 tonne/year PP facility, which is currently running at full capacity, obtains 70% of its gas feed from KNPC’s refining complex in Shuaiba, the source said.

“The KNPC refinery is shut because of maintenance works at one of the pipelines, so our FCC [fluid catalytic cracking] unit is unable to produce sufficient propylene to feed the PP unit,” the source said.

“Because of the reduced operating rates, we can only supply to our regular customers. We will reduce our quantities to spot markets such as southeast Asia and Africa,” he added.

PIC obtains the remaining 30% of its gas supplies from Equate, the source said.

PIC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC), produces PP grades of raffia, fibre and biaxially-oriented PP (BOPP) film.

KNPC is a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corp.

By: Ong Sheau Ling
+65 6780 4359

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