Singapore's polyolefins producer TPC has declared force majeure (FM) on 9 March after shutting multiple plants on Jurong Island following the absence of olefins supplies from its upstream supplier PCS due to the US-Iran conflict.
TPC takes olefins supplies from nearby cracker operator PCS, which declared FM on 5 March because of feedstock supply disruptions arising from the ongoing US-Iran war. PCS' crackers are likely operating at reduced rates, limiting olefins supply to TPC and prompting production to be affected. As a result, "production lines are forced to stop for an extended period," the producer said in a company statement seen by Argus.
TPC operates two polypropylene (PP) units with a combined capacity of 400,000 t/yr, as well as a 250,000 t/yr low-density polyethylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate swing unit.
Its largest 250,000 t/yr PP unit was shut in May 2025 for an undisclosed period due to commercial reasons.
TPC is a joint venture between Nihon Singapore Polyolefin (NSPC), which holds a 70pc stake, and Qatar Petroleum International together with Singapore's Shell Petrochemicals, which collectively hold the remaining 30pc. Japan's Sumitomo Chemical is the majority shareholder of NSPC.
"At this stage, the duration of the Force Majeure event remains uncertain," the company said.
Petrochemical producers in southeast Asia are heavily impacted by the raw material supply disruptions from the Middle East. Singapore's Aster and PCS, along with Indonesia's Chandra Asri, all issued FM notices last week.
