Malaysia's Pengerang Refining and Petrochemicals (PRefChem) is expected by market participants to defer to this year's fourth quarter the start-up of its polymers units previously targeted in August.
The joint venture between Malaysia's state-owned Petronas and Saudi Arabia's Saudi Aramco can produce up to 350,000 t/yr of linear low-density polyethylene, 400,000 t/yr of high-density polyethylene and 900,000 t/yr polypropylene.
The return of PRefChem polymers production was expected to increase the availability of duty-free polymers supplies in Asia.
Spot supplies have become less available in southeast Asia in this year's second quarter following the halt of PRefChem's polymers output, although weaker demand created by the impact of Covid-19 has balanced out the market.
