PTT Asahi Chemical aims to begin commercial production of acrylonitrile at its new chemicals plant in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, by the end of July, a source close to the matter said Monday.
The plant has the capacity to produce 200,000 mt/year of acrylonitrile, 70,000 mt/year of methyl methacrylate and 150,000 mt/year of ammonium sulphate.
The commercial production of methyl methacrylate and ammonium sulphate is, however, expected to start later, in August, the source said.
Tests and preparations at the plant, located at the Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate, were going well, the source added. The plant will use propane to make acrylonitrile, with the propane supplied by PTT's gas separation plants. The acrylonitrile produced will be sold in the spot market only after domestic demand and contractual obligations are met, another source had said earlier.
PTT Asahi Chemical is a joint venture comprising state-owned PTT (48.5%), Japan's Asahi Kasei Chemicals (48.5%) and Marubeni (3%).
