Chandra Asri completes naphtha cracker expansion

Indonesia’s Chandra Asri has completed an expansion of its naphtha cracker at Anyer in west Java, and plans to link the new and existing facilities. The cracker will not be taken offline for the tie-in, but its run rate will be reduced temporarily from 100% of capacity. The plant’s ethylene capacity has been boosted by 70,000 metric tons per year (mty) to 590,000 mty, and the propylene capacity raised by 10-15% from 260,000 mty. Some of its ethylene output is directed towards its two polyethylene plants which are capable of producing up to 300,000 mty. Chandra Asri also produces styrene monomer through the wholly owned subsidiary Styrindo Mono Indonesia, which it acquired last April 2007. Chandra Asri is Indonesia’s sole olefins producer. (October 26, 2007)