Chiba Chemicals to expand ethylene capacity in Asia

According to media reports, Chiba Chemicals Manufacturing LLP, a joint venture between Japanese Idemitsu and Mitsui formed to create a high quality ethylene center in Asia, is planning to enhance its ethylene manufacturing facilities to increase its profitability. The decision was reportedly driven by the challenges and the competition the Japanese petrochemical industry faces due to the factors including the emergence of new and extensive petrochemical facilities in the Middle East and China as well as the increase in the amount of ethylene that North America produces from shale gas.

As part of the plan to be able to meet the global competition, Chiba Chemicals is planning to increase the production capacity of its ethylene facility at Anegasaki plant in Idemitsu and reduce the costs of manufacturing ethylene, propylene and other by products, the reports revealed, which, in return, is expected to increase the facilities’ profitability thanks to diversification.

The construction work for expansion is expected to start in autumn, 2017.