Singapore's Jurong Aromatics restarts after 1-1/2 yr shutdown

[SINGAPORE] Jurong Aromatics Corp (JAC) has restarted its refining-petrochemical complex in Singapore after a 1-1/2 year shutdown, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.

The plant processed condensate on Wednesday and operated smoothly, he said, adding that it may reach commercial production in a few weeks' time.

JAC's complex includes a 100,000 barrels-per-day condensate splitter, one of three units that started operations in Asia in 2014 aimed at producing paraxylene, a raw material for textiles and bottles, to meet China's demand.

JAC shut the US$2.4 billion plant in December 2014 on a technical issue and went into receivership in September last year.

REUTERS