Saudi Arabia-based petrochemical producer Sadara Chemical has started an unplanned maintenance on its 1.5mn t/yr ethylene cracker and its 400,000 t/yr propylene cracker at its petrochemical complex in Jubail.
Cracker issues arose from problems with the compressor, according to industry participants.
Production at both of its 375,000 t/yr low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) swing units in Jubail, along with its 220,000 t/yr low density polyethylene (LDPE) are expected be affected. But this could not be confirmed with the producer.
Market participants have said that Sadara is seeking ethylene feedstock from producers in the region. But securing feedstock has been difficult as most polyethylene (PE) producers in the Middle East are operating at high operating rates.
Sadara Chemical is a joint venture between Saudi state-owned Saudi Aramco and US chemical company Dow Chemicals.
Latest Argus data showed that LDPE film was assessed yesterday at $1,538-1,568/t fob Saudi Arabia (CMP). LLDPE film and HDPE film were assessed at $1,138-1,168/t fob Saudi Arabia (CMP) and $1,128-1,158/t fob Saudi Arabia (CMP) respectively.
