On 7 July, an explosion halted operations at Formosa’s 700,000 tpa naphtha cracker in Mailiao. This was followed by an explosion at Formosa's 73,000 bpd desulphurisation unit at the same site, forcing the shutdown of some downstream units, including a 520,000 tpa group II base oils refinery.
Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) is to fine the petrochemical complex in Yunlin County, NT$1 mln/day for air pollution caused by the fire at the complex. The heavy fine amount is expected to trigger steps by Formosa to reduce pollution to the minimum in the shortest possible time.
Aquacultural operators in the region have complained of falling particles due to the fire having caused massive fish deaths.
29-Jul-10 
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