Steam Supply Failure Delays Mitsui Chemicals' Osaka Cracker Restart

Osaka Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. (OPC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., has encountered an unexpected failure in the steam supply system of its ethylene plant during a planned maintenance shutdown. This unforeseen issue will delay the resumption of production operations until the necessary repairs are completed. The company is currently assessing the extent of the problem and implementing measures to address it promptly. This delay is anticipated to impact production schedules, and OPC is working diligently to minimize disruptions and resume normal operations as quickly and safely as possible.

The company is actively working to resolve the issue and aims to resume production as quickly as possible. However, it is currently anticipated that it will take approximately two to three months to achieve this. A more precise timeline will be provided once it is determined, and this information will be shared in a separate release. The potential effects on product deliveries are being carefully investigated, with individual customers being informed as needed. Additionally, the company is assessing how the incident might impact financial results. If a significant impact is anticipated, it will be disclosed in a future release.

The production capacity of OPC’s ethylene plant is 455,000 tons per year. This significant capacity underscores the plant's role in meeting both domestic and international demand for ethylene, a crucial raw material in the production of a wide range of industrial and consumer products. With this robust output capability, the plant supports the manufacture of various derivatives and chemicals essential for industries such as automotive, construction, and consumer goods. The scale of production not only enhances OPC’s position in the global ethylene market but also demonstrates the plant's importance in contributing to the overall supply chain for this key chemical.

OPC is actively investigating the potential impact on product deliveries and will provide updates to affected customers as needed. Furthermore, the company is assessing how the disruption might affect its financial performance. Any significant financial impacts will be disclosed in a subsequent announcement once fully evaluated.

Mitsui produces a range of basic and green materials, including petrochemicals and basic chemicals. Their petrochemical products other than ethylene include HDPE, propylene, Metallocene linear low-density polyethylene, LLDPE, polypropylene, and olefin polymerization catalytic compounds. For basic chemicals, they offer phenol, bisphenol A, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, purified terephthalic acid, PET resin, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, hydroquinone, meta/para-cresol, ammonia, urea, and melamine. Their polyurethane raw materials include TDI (COSMONATE™), MDI (COSMONATE™), and PPG (ACTCOL™, ECONYKOL™).