Taiwan continues efforts to upgrade naphtha crackers

26-Oct-06

Minister of Economic Affairs continues to upgrade two naphtha crackers in the southern county of Kaohsiung, in an effort to keep the crackers at the same locations despite opposition by local residents in Taiwan. In addition, an upgrade is planned for the third naphtha cracker run by state-owned Chinese Petroleum Corp. Another problem being encountered by the Ministry is whether or not to relocate the company's fifth naphtha cracking plant located in Houchin, by 2015. Residents in the area have long complained about pollution caused by the plant. The government hopes the fifth cracker can stay in Houchin and will negotiate with the locals to keep the cracker at its current site as an upgrade will efficiently reduce the cracker's impact on the environment. This will also save an expensive relocation project