Formosa begins production from polypropylene unit

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Apr. 2�Formosa Plastics Corp. USA has begun commercial production at its new polypropylene unit at Point Comfort, Tex.

The 700 million lb/year unit will boost the company's total polypropylene capacity to 1.5 billion lb/year.

"The new capacity is being added to keep pace with industry growth estimates," said Ken Mounger, vice-president and general manager of Formosa's polypropylene division. He said despite short-term market conditions, the long-term outlook for polypropylene is still positive.

A second olefins unit, which will bring Formosa's total olefins capacity to 3.4 billion lb/year, is under construction at the Point Comfort complex and scheduled to start up later in the second quarter.