Stronger propylylene market make Hyundai's Daesan RFCC switch to propylene production mode

18-Aug-11

With effect from this month, South Korean Hyundai Oilbank's new 52,000 bpd residue fluid catalytic cracker at its Daesan refinery is gradually switching to propylene production from gasoline production, as per Platts. Hyundai's RFCC is able to produce 300,000 tpa propylene when in "propylene mode." Propylene production typically goes down around 10% in "gasoline mode" operations. It is unclear how long the RFCC will operate in the propylene production mode. Strengthening propylene market in Asia is likely to be the reason behind this switch. FOB South Korea propylene price has averaged 7.4% higher month on month so far in August. The price increase can be attributed to decreasing supplies from Taiwan due to multiple propylene plant shutdowns.