Chinese petrochemical makers Zhejiang Satellite and Oriental Energy have shut their propane dehydrogenation (PDH) units since March 3 for maintenance, market sources informed SSESSMENTS.COM. Both producers initially planned for a turnaround in late March, but the coronavirus outbreak caused high product inventories and a gloomy outlook for propane prices. Hence they brought forward the maintenance schedule.
Zhejiang Satellite shut down its 450,000 tons/year No.1 PDH unit and a 480,000 ton/year acrylic acid plant at Jiaxing, Zhejiang province for a 15-day turnaround. Zhejiang Satellite will maintain production at its two polypropylene (PP) production lines. Meanwhile, Oriental Energy halted operation at its 600,000 tons/year PDH unit and a 400,000 tons/year PP line in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province. These units will be under maintenance for about one month.
