<article><p class="lead">Thailand state-controlled petrochemical producer PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) will start up its new 500,000 t/yr naphtha-fed cracker in December. </p><p>The cracker, based in Mab Ta Phut, will have 250,000 t/yr of propylene production. A new downstream propylene oxide unit with capacity of 200,000 t/yr is undergoing commissioning. </p><p>PTTGC will have 2.88 mn t/yr of ethylene production in Mab Ta Phut, with the addition of the new cracker. The company is also studying other potential downstream projects but has no concrete plan so far. </p><p>Thailand will also have another 300,000 t/yr of ethylene capacity by the end of the year, from fellow producer Siam Cement Group (SCG). The company's 900,000 t/yr cracker is undergoing a <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2142146">turnaround and a debottlenecking exercise</a>.</p><p>The additions from PTTGC and SCG will raise Thailand's overall ethylene capacity to 5.34 mn t/yr by the end of the year. </p><p class="bylines">By Toong Shien Lee</p></article>
