Startup delay at USA's Shintech new ethane cracker

Market sources reported that Shintech is delaying the startup of its $1.4 billion new ethane-fed steam cracker, which initially scheduled by mid of the year. Based in Plaquemine, Louisiana, United States, upon project completion, the 500,000 tons/year cracker will expand the company's in-house feedstock production and reduce the dependency on purchasing ethylene from other makers. Sources informed that the delay of the project was due to the rising of costs as a result of the inadequate capabilities of contractor Chicago Bridge & Iron. The new timeline for startup schedule has not been finalized.