Thailand petchem complex to expand

Thailand’s leading integrated petrochemical firm, Integrated Refinery Petrochemical Complex (IRPC), plans to invest US$1.2 billion this year for upgrading and expanding its plant and facilities over the next three years. Chief executive Piti Yimprasert said the company will spend about US$1 billion to upgrade its refinery to improve the quality of its diesel fuel output. Yimprasert said construction will start in 2007, and will take three years to complete. In addition, IRPC will also expand its delivery capacity to its port at Map Ta Phut from 1.5 million barrels per day (BPD) to 2 million BPD, to cater to larger vessels and reduce logistical costs. (January 5, 2007)