UPDATE: Malaysia’s PrefChem to start-up PP plant in August, trial run at LLDPE unit in July

As reported earlier, the start-up at Pengerang Refining And Petrochemical (PRefChem) is unaffected by the explosion and fire in early April 2019. It is reported that the company has been operating its No. 1 polypropylene (PP) unit on a trial basis and would be able to achieve on-spec cargoes in August.

“We have sold some non-prime cargoes in the local Malaysia market and would be able to achieve on-spec cargoes soon,” a source close to the company informed.

However, the company is relying on spot propylene to operate its No. 1 PP plant, therefore, the No. 2 line might come online slightly later. Both lines, each has a capacity of 450,000 tons per annum.

Meanwhile, the company is conducting a trial run at the 350,000 tons/year LLDPE plant in July 2019. It is still uncertain when would the unit go into commercial operation. 

Overview:

PrefChem is a 50%-50% joint venture between Petronas and Saudi Aramco. The complex houses a 3 million tons/year naphtha cracker, 900,000 tons/year PP unit, 400,000 tons/year HDPE unit. The company also owns a C6-based metallocene PE plant with a capacity of 350,000 tons/year.