Malaysia’s PrefChem reaches on-spec C2, C3 output, and commercial production to take place in Q4

According to market sources, Pengerang Refining And Petrochemical (PRefChem) has reached on-spec output for ethylene and propylene since the beginning of September 2019. The company would start to conduct a performance test run at downstream PP and PE plants this week for 30 to 130 days depending on the availability of the monomers.

Meanwhile, the HDPE line would go through trial production at the beginning of November.

PrefChem Chief Executive Officer told local media that the complex is now 99.7% completed and is on track to reach commercial production by the end of the year. 

Overview:

PrefChem is a 50%-50% joint venture between Petronas and Saudi Aramco. The complex houses a naphtha cracker that produces 1.2 million tons/year of ethylene and 600,000 tons/year of propylene. Downstream units include a 450,000 ton/year homo-PP line, a 450,000 tons/year PP copolymer, and a 400,000 tons/year HDPE unit. The company also owns a C6-based metallocene PE plant with a capacity of 350,000 tons/year.