Asahimas Chemical Wraps Up Repairs for VCM Production on Line 3 in Chilegón

Asahimas Chemical, a prominent subsidiary of the renowned Japanese petrochemical giant Asahi Glass, has successfully concluded comprehensive repair operations on Vinyl Chloride Line 3 at its facility in Cilegon, Indonesia. The facility, boasting an impressive annual capacity of 400 thousand tons of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM), underwent meticulous repair activities aimed at addressing operational challenges. Despite the successful removal of coke and the subsequent restart of VCM Line 3, technical complexities have limited its current operational capacity to 90%. The precise timeline for achieving full operational restoration remains uncertain.

In a preceding instance, Asahimas Chemical, a pivotal subsidiary under the Asahi Glass umbrella, finalized repair work on Line No. 2, dedicated to the production of vinyl chloride (VCM) in Cilegon, Indonesia. This particular facility, equipped with a production capacity of 300 thousand tons of VCM annually, underwent extensive repair activities spanning from late July to September 10.

Vinyl chloride, a fundamental raw material in the chemical industry, plays a pivotal role as the primary precursor for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC, a versatile plastic material widely employed in various applications, relies on the stable and efficient production of vinyl chloride for its manufacturing processes.

The petrochemical landscape's intricacies extend beyond Asahimas Chemical's repair endeavors, with market dynamics influencing the global consumption of polyvinyl chloride. Russia witnessed an estimated consumption of 635.71 thousand tons of unmixed PVC (excluding exports to Belarus) during the initial eight months of the year. This figure reflects a 2% decrease compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Notably, within this market panorama, the emulsion PVC sector reported a 4% increase in shipments, while the slurry PVC market experienced a 2% decrease.

Asahi Glass maintains a commanding interest in Asahimas Chemical, ensuring a strategic alignment with its broader corporate goals. Additionally, the ownership structure includes significant stakes held by key entities such as Rodamas (18%), Ableman Finance (18%), and Mitsubishi Corp. (11.5%). This diversified ownership framework underscores collaborative partnerships within the petrochemical industry, emphasizing a collective and cooperative approach to industry endeavors.

The successful completion of repairs at Asahimas Chemical's facilities not only showcases technical proficiency but also underscores the resilience and adaptability required in the petrochemical sector. As the industry grapples with operational challenges, strategic repairs become imperative to ensure the sustained and efficient production of critical chemical components such as vinyl chloride. The collaborative ownership structure further positions Asahimas Chemical as an integral player in the intricate web of partnerships that drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability within the petrochemical landscape.