Malaysian state-owned oil firm Petronas is continuing test runs of polymer units at its new petrochemical facility in Pengerang in the run-up to the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
Petronas has so far produced small quantities of on-specification product.
The facility, a joint venture between Petronas and Saudi Arabia's state-owned Saudi Aramco, will be able to produce 900,000 t/yr of polypropylene (PP) and 750,000 t/yr of polyethylene (PE).
Petronas is expected to ramp up test runs and increase run rates in the run-up to Ramadan, which starts in early May.
Ramadan is typically a slow period in Malaysia, with working hours reduced in state-owned companies.
Petronas and Aramco are likely to market Pengerang's PP and PE themselves and through channel partners once the polymer units are stabilised and output starts to rise.
