Taiwan suspends use of four pressure tanks at Mailiao complex

The Taiwanese government ordered Formosa Plastics Group to shut down four additional pressure tanks at the Mailiao petrochemical complex. Use of two tanks was earlier suspended because the materials of the tanks are prone to explosion. Duh Tyzz-jiun, director general of the Industrial Development Bureau at the Ministry of Economic Affairs said that safety checks on the pressure tanks may last for two months. The Mailiao plant had been hit by seven fires since July 2010, including one last July 30. The company was forced to declare force majeure on exports of petroleum products. (August 18, 2011)