Colombia’s Ecopetrol LDPE unit running again

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Colombia’s low density polyethylene (LDPE) producer Ecopetrol has returned its production unit, Poly-2, to operations, a source familiar with the issue said on Thursday.

The LDPE unit shut down 24 August for 10 days, for scheduled maintenance.

Ecopetrol, Colombia’s sole domestic producer, operates two units of LDPE. One plant, called Poly-1, produces 21,360 tonnes/year. The second, Poly-2, has a capacity of 43,440 tonnes/year, according to ICIS Plants and Projects.

LDPE prices throughout Latin America have been under pressure in recent months because of limited supply.

Dow’s LDPE plant at Bahia Blanca, Argentina, has been idled since November, and ethane supply problems have hampered Pemex domestic production in Mexico.