China’s Sinopec trims March cracker run rates on high naphtha

06 March 2012 04:00  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Sinopec has reduced operating rates at its crackers in China this month, partly because of high feedstock naphtha prices, a company source said on Tuesday

The operating rate at its naphtha crackers was reduced to 90-95% this month from an average rate of close to 100% in February, the source said.

Sinopec operates 16 crackers either on its own or through joint ventures.

Ethylene margins based on naphtha feed in northeast Asia fell into negative territory during the week ended 2 March, according to ICIS data.

The margins tumbled by $74/tonne (€56/tonne) to their lowest levels since early December at minus $17/tonne, partly because of spikes in feedstock naphtha prices and a decline in butadiene prices.

($1 = €0.76)

By: Peh Soo Hwee
+65 6780 4359

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