Weak downstream demand defers start-up at CPC's No.5 naphtha cracker

04-Oct-08

Taiwan's state-owned oil refiner, CPC Corporation has further deferred resumption of operations at its Kaohsiung-based No.5 naphtha cracker. The start-up of the 500,000 tpa cracker, earlier scheduled for Sep 29, will further postpone owing to sluggish demand of downstream products like ethylene and propylene. However, the start up of the No.5 cracker can reportedly be further postponed should the market demand remain weak, says a senior executive with CPC Corporation.