Total began maintenance work at its Gonfreville styrene monomer unit on March 4, according to industry sources on the sidelines of the European Petrochemical Luncheon Meeting in Barcelona this week.
Total said in a press release that major work would be carried out at the site for four months, with different units being covered progressively.
It declined to comment on the specific status of the SM unit.
Sources said this week that the SM unit was one of the first to be shut for maintenance.
The cracker, aromatics and butadiene units, as well as one polyethylene unit are also expected to undergo maintenance, although no timeline was given for this.
Despite the shutting of the SM unit, the spot market turned bearish this week.
On Thursday, the 5-30 day forward spot price was assessed at $1,483/mt FOB ARA, down from $1,545/mt on March 1.