PTT Global likely to reduce petrochemical processing after gas plant shutdown

21-Aug-13

Thailand's PTT Global Chemical seems likely to reduce its petrochemical processing rate to 85% due to a shortage of feedstock after a shutdown of its parent's gas separation plant unit 5 for three to five months, as per Reuters. PTT Global's petrochemical plants normally run at 95% of capacity. The Thai group is working on a plan to import naphtha and other feedstock to help offset the shortfall. The gas plant shutdown is likely to affect PTT Global's profit by as much as 400 million baht (US$12.8 million) a month, as per company sources. PTTGC is 49% owned by state-controlled parent PTT Pcl, and uses ethane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the gas plant as feedstock for its I4-2 olefins plant.