Production Resumes at Formosa Plastics’ Point Comfort Plant
LIVINGSTON, N.J., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. announced today that production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plastic resin and chlor-alkali (caustic soda) has resumed at the company’s Point Comfort, Texas facility. The company said that its Olefins I unit, which supplies the ethylene and propylene feedstock – key ingredients – to other downstream production units, was operating at full capacity.
In addition, the company said repairs were already underway on the “Olefins II” Unit which suffered some damage in what is known as the purification area as a result of an explosion and fire on October 6. While no detailed repair schedule was released, Formosa said it would be short-term, noting that other major components of the Olefins II Unit are undamaged.
The PVC, PP, PE and chlor-alkali units, along with the facility’s other units are operating reduced rates as a result of Olefins II being offline. The company said it is working with the Formosa Plastics Group of Taiwan to supplement production and meet customer demand.
While the October 6 incident remains under investigation, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board reported that they will not recommend a full root-cause investigation. The initial phase of the company’s internal investigation, supported by numerous eye witness accounts, determined that the fire and explosion were caused when a contractor’s employee, using a forklift truck to move a cart, struck a liquid propylene line. The propylene released by the break vaporized into a cloud and traveled along the ground until it found an ignition source.
About Formosa …
Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. manufactures plastic resins and petrochemicals. The company has annual revenues of $3.8 billion and 2,700 employees. Formosa’s Point Comfort, Texas, facility covers 1,800 acres and employs nearly 2,000 people in 13 production units, testing labs, and research and development labs.
Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.
CONTACT: Rob Thibault, Corporate Communications, +1-973-994-7688, orCell, +1-973-941-9775, or rthibault@fpcusa.com
Web site: http://www.fpcusa.com/