Demand dearth to cause shutdown of Sunoco's ethylene complex

08-Jul-09

US-based Sunoco, a leading manufacturer and marketer of petrochemical products, has reportedly decided to permanently close down its ethylene complex located at 175,000 bpd Markus Hook Refinery which has witnessed a major explosion on May 17. The slump in demand of ethylene, ethylene oxide and cyclohexane is one of the major reasons for the company's decision not to go for repairs and replacement of equipment at the complex which will result in layoff of 40 - 50 personnel. The company said the current low levels of demand for plastics raw materials in the region did not justify the resumption of work at the ethylene complex.