In response to deteriorating SM demand and meager profit margin realization, upstream benzene producers are also reducing operating rates. Japan Energy Corp. has reduced run rates at benzene plants at its 207,000 tpa Chita unit and 100,000 tpa Mizushima by half. JEC's Kajima BTX plant continues to be shuttered for turnaround outage until end of the month. South Korea's Yeochon Naphtha Cracking Centre (YNCC) plans to reduce by 10%, run rates at three of its BTX plants in Yeosu. On the other hand, LG Chemical has brought back its 170,000 tpa SM plant online after a gap of 6-7 weeks. The company had delayed start up at an earlier date because of poor returns. Dalian Petrochemical Co. has restarted its newly established BTX plant earlier this month, with 250,000 tpa benzene unit, 490,000 tpa toluene and 480,000 tpa xylene unit.
10-Oct-08 
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