US Celanese delays start of new Clear Lake acetic acid plant

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Celanese is delaying the start-up of its new acetic acid plant in Clear Lake, Texas, the US-based acetyls producer said on Monday.

Celanese had mechanically completed the project and had begun commissioning when it discovered defects in some of the high-metallurgy components from the manufacturing process of its supplier, the company said. These parts must be replaced before start-up.

The new parts need to be recast and go through quality control. After factoring in shipping, installation and the restart of commissioning, Celanese expects the expansion project will start contributing earnings in early 2024.

Celanese did not specify when the plant would start.

The new plant has a capacity of 1.3m tonnes/year. Celanese had expected to complete commissioning and start-up processes in the third quarter.

Because of the delay, the project will not contribute $25m to earnings during the second half of the year, the company said. That included $5m-10m in the third quarter.

Thumbnail shows acetic acid. Image by Food and Drink/REX/Shutterstock