Hyosung readies polypropylene unit in Vietnam

South Korean textile manufacturer Hyosung is preparing to ramp up production at its new 300,000 t/yr polypropylene (PP) unit in Vietnam's Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

The start-up will add significant new capacity of PP in Vietnam, a major plastic conversion market.

Hyosung issued on 10 January a buyer's tender for five lots of propylene in February. The tender is due on 15 January.

Hyosung plans to start its 600,000 t/yr PDH and a second 300,000 t/yr PP line at the end of 2020 or early 2021 in Vietnam.

PP suppliers in Vietnam also include Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical (NSRP) and Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical (BSR).

NSRP produces 370,000 t/yr of PP, while BSR operates a 150,000 t/yr PP unit, Argus data showed.

PP imports were at 1.34mn t/yr in 2018, according to the Vietnam Plastics Association.