EQUATE declares start-up of new Styrene Monomer unit

18-Aug-09

EQUATE Petrochemical Company officially announced the beginning of commercial operations of The Kuwait Styrene Company’s (TKSC) new Ethyl Benzene & Styrene Monomer (EBSM) production plant. With a production capacity of 450,000 metric tpa of Styrene Monomer (SM), the new plant is currently producing on-spec SM and will be run as part of Greater EQUATE’s integrated facility. Commenting on this achievement, TKSC’s CEO Dan Gibbs said “This is a significant milestone for TKSC’s customers, shareholders and Greater EQUATE overall as it not only increases Greater EQUATE’s production capacity but it also takes Kuwait into the manufacture of styrenics for the first time ever.” Gibbs congratulated all who contributed to this successful project, noting “Despite some initial start-up challenges, we are proud of all our people to have achieved the start-up safely and in accordance with our overall strategy.” EQUATE Marketing Company (EMC), TKSC’s sole SM outlet, will market all production from this unit and will be directing sales throughout its marketing channels. EQUATE Petrochemical Company is the single operator of Greater EQUATE, which includes TKSC, Kuwait Paraxylene Production Company (KPPC) and The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC).