Idemitsu Kosan is operating the Xylene and benzene lines at its two aromatic plants at 100 percent capacity rates mainly due to high margins in the spot market.
“The Xylene and benzene lines in the aromatics plants in Chiba and Tokuyama are running at 100 percent rates, as we are able to generate high margins in the spot markets”, an Idemitsu official told fibre2fashion.
The Chiba aromatics plant has a benzene production capacity of 577,000 tons per year and Xylene capacity of 353,000 tons per annum.
The Tokuyama plant has a benzene capacity of 274,000 tons per year and Xylene capacity of 317,000 tons per year.
He further said, “The maintenance turnaround is scheduled every two years and the last turnaround in Tokuyama took place in September 2012. So, the next turnaround is scheduled in 2014.”
