24 March 2011 21:38 [Source: ICIS news]
HOUSTON (ICIS)--Mexico’s Pemex Petroquímica will start a series of scheduled maintenance procedures in April at its 300,000 tonne/year Cangrejera low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant, a Pemex source said on Thursday.
The first of three trains is scheduled to stop operations on 11 April until 8 May for programmed maintenance. The second and third trains will follow, with two trains being kept operational while maintenance is done on the one that is stopped.
The trains at the plant have a nominal capacity of 100,000 tonnes/year each.
Provisions were taken to build inventories ahead of the procedures to guarantee domestic supply. No shortages are expected.
Warmer climate has brought increased domestic demand, as more polyethylene (PE) products are consumed, the source said.
March demand was much improved in comparison with January and February figures. Inventories were more balanced in March, providing space for the 3% price increase for all grades of LDPE implemented on 15 March.
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