JXTG shuts reformers, aromatics unit

Japan's JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy was forced to shut reforming and aromatics units at its Kawasaki and Oita sites earlier this week because of technical issues.

The Oita aromatics plant, which is capable of producing up to 420,000 t/yr of paraxylene and 120,000 t/yr of benzene, remains shut along with its upstream reforming unit. The duration of the shutdown is unclear.

The 350,000 t/yr PX unit at JXTG's Kawasaki site is operational but run rates have been cut because of the shutdown earlier this week of the reforming unit that was previously operated by TonenGeneral, which merged with JXTG in 2017. The Kawasaki site has combined nameplate capacity to produce up to 160,000 t/yr of benzene.

JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy has implemented a 20pc aromatics production cut since May because of squeezed margins. It plans to extend these production cuts through August.