Benzene plant shutdowns in Asia

12-Nov-08

Japan's Taiyo Oil Co., with benzene capacity of 400,000 tpa, has reduced operations at Ehime by 20% until end of year. However, operations at its benzene and MX lines at Kikuma will remain unaltered. South Korean benzene maker DC Chemical Co. Ltd. has embarked on a one month long maintenance turnaround at its BTX plant in Yeosu. Simultaneously, the unit will also undergo capacity expansion from 150,000 tpa to 180,000 tpa. PTT Aromatics and Refining PCL has shuttered its 450,000 tpa No.1 BTX production line at Rayong, Map Ta Phut for two weeks. Earlier this month, benzene producers reduced operating rates in response to deteriorating SM demand and meager profit margin realization. Japan Energy Corp. reduced run rates at benzene plants at its 207,000 tpa Chita unit and 100,000 tpa Mizushima by half. South Korea's Yeochon Naphtha Cracking Centre (YNCC) planned to reduce by 10%, run rates at three of its BTX plants in Yeosu. Sanyo Petrochemical Co Ltd's 300,000 tpa benzene plant reduced operating rates by 5% at Mizushima.