Thai PTT Global May Cut Petrochemical Processing After Gas Plant Shutdown

Thailand's PTT Global Chemical may reduce its petrochemical processing rate to 85% due to a shortage of feedstock after a shutdown of its parent's gas separation plant unit 5 for three to five months.

PTT Global's petrochemical plants normally run at 95% of capacity, and the group is working on a plan to import naphtha and other feedstock to help offset the shortfall, Chief Executive Anon Sirisaengtaksin told reporters.

The gas plant shutdown is likely to affect PTT Global's profit by as much as 400 million baht ($12.8 million) a month, Anon said.

PTTGC, 49% owned by state-controlled parent PTT, uses ethane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the gas plant as feedstock for its I4-2 olefins plant.