LyondellBasell issued a force majeure declaration on vinyl acetate monomer and glacial acetic acid supplies from its La Porte, Texas, facility after a turnaround revealed equipment issues, the company said in a letter to customers seen by Platts on Tuesday.
The company's La Porte, Texas, acetyls plants was nearing a restart after a turnaround that started in the third quarter, the company said on a recent conference call.
The La Porte site includes a 780,000 mt/year methanol plant and a 350,000 mt/year vinyl acetate monomer facility.
During the turnaround, "unforeseen equipment failures and machinery breakdowns within the unit were identified," the letter said.
The company said a timeline for the force majeure has not been established.
A sales allocation of 100% of the average purchases over the last nine months would be put in place, the letter said.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Platts last assessed VAM on Thursday at $955-$965/mt FOB USG and acetic acid at $615-$625/mt FOB USG.
