Dow Chemical Co. is working to restore normal operations at its petrochemical plant in Plaquemine, La., following a series of disruptions that occurred in late April.
During the week of Apr. 20, two separate process incidents occurred that collectively resulted in the disruption of ethylene production at the Plaquemine plant’s LA-2 and LA-3 manufacturing units, the company said.
In addition, the Plaquemine site’s benzene unit also experienced a process disruption, according to Dow Chemical.
The company estimates that supply from the two ethylene units will be curtailed for 3-4 weeks, while supply from the plant’s benzene unit will be reduced for more than 5 weeks.
During this period, Dow Chemical said it downstream derivatives units will continue to operate at reduced rates with ethylene supplied from a Dow-owned pipeline.
Current production rates as a result of the unit disruptions were not disclosed.
