The company's plant at Map Ta Phut, Rayong, is now running at 100% of its production capacity of 200,000 mt/year of phenol and 124,000 mt/year of acetone.
The $15 million expanded unit will increase overall production by 25% to 250,000 mt/year of phenol and 155,000 mt/year of acetone.
The expansion was scheduled to be finished in the second quarter of 2010 but was delayed by a court-ordered suspension.
On September 29, 2009, the court ordered 76 industrial projects worth an estimated Baht 400 billion ($12 billion) at Map Ta Phut industrial estate, in the eastern province of Rayong, to temporarily halt work over concerns about environmental and health effects.
But on September 2, 2010, the court ruled that 74 of the projects could proceed, while operating licenses for two projects were revoked.
Following the court's ruling, PTT Phenol plans to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, which assesses the possible impact that a project may have on the environment, and submit it to the Ministry of Industry.
PTT Phenol estimates that ministry approval following the submission of the EIA will be obtained before the second half of 2011 as it expects to submit the EIA before the second quarter of 2011.
Due to the delayed startup of the expanded solvents line, the company's phenol supplies to its customers and the spot market will be reduced as PTT Phenol expects to commission a new bisphenol-A plant, also located at Map Ta Phut, Rayong province, in the fourth quarter of 2010.
With a nameplate capacity of 150,000 mt/year of BPA, the plant is expected to consume about 65% of the company's current phenol capacity of 200,000 mt/year, or about 130,000 mt/year.
BPA is a raw material for making polycarbonate, a plastic used in household appliances, electronic goods and automotive and aircraft components.
As of June 30, the BPA plant was about 99% completed, PTT Chemical said in late August, adding that completion is expected in the third quarter.
PTT Chemical owns 30% of PTT Phenol, while PTT Public Co. holds a 40% stake and PTT Aromatics and Refining has 30%.
China Chemical Weekly: http://news.chemnet.com/en/detail-1411716.html
