Kuwait-based EQUATE steps up HDPE production after bringing its 850,000-tonne/year HDPE/LLDPE swing plant back online

Alison Gallant

LOS ANGELES , November 21, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – Kuwait-based EQUATE Petrochemicals Co. stepped up its output of high-density polyethylene week ending Nov. 19 after the company brought its 850,000-tonne per year HDPE/linear low-density swing plant back online at the end of last month, ICIS news reported Nov. 21, citing a source close to company.

The plant had been shuttered for a few days at the end of last month because of technical issues, the source told ICIS.

The source also told ICIS that after the plant came back online, it still struggled with technical problems, forcing the company to scale back operating rates.

Traders in the region told ICIS that EQUATE did not make offers for significant amounts of HDPE or LLDPE to south Asia in November due to the problems at the plant.

EQUATE’s decision to step up HDPE production is welcome news in the south Asia region, a Mumbai, India-based trader told ICIS, because supply is tight.

The primary source of this article is ICIS news, Sutton, England, Nov. 21, 2011.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.