PTT Polyethylene to decrease run rates by 5% from May at steam cracker in Map Ta Phut

15-Jun-10

Thailand's PTT Polyethylene expects to decrease run rates by 5% from May at its steam cracker in Map Ta Phut. This will bring down operating rates to an average of 60% for June at the cracker with nameplate capacity of 1 mln tpa ethylene and 25,000 tpa propylene. The cracker has been running well below nameplate capacity since commercial operations started in April due to lack of feedstock ethane from feedstock supplier PTT Plc. 50% of the cracker's ethane is sourced from PTT's recently revamped No. 2 and No. 3 gas separation plants, where operations have yet to stabilize. PTT’s No 6 gas separation plant, that is to supply 50% of the feedstock, has not been granted clearance to start from local authorities and the environment office.