LOTTE Chemical has boxed up part of the downstream (producing various petrochemical products using ethylene, propylene, and the like) lines at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex in South Jeolla Province. It pared back certain lines due to a flood of low-priced petrochemical products from China and a sluggish market. Box-up is a measure that presumes a long-term shutdown, emptying production facilities and filling them with nitrogen to protect the equipment.
According to the petrochemical industry on the 6th, LOTTE Chemical has boxed up its PET and ethylene oxide adduct (EOA) lines. An industry official said, "Because the petrochemical market is weak, some companies are streamlining their lines. LOTTE Chemical most recently went into box-up in the industry."
PET is light, transparent, and strong, and is mainly used for transparent beverage bottles such as mineral water and carbonated drinks and for manufacturing polyester fiber for clothing. EOA is used as a surfactant and fine chemical raw material in products such as dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, and industrial emulsifiers.
A LOTTE Chemical official said, "It is true that the PET and EOA lines were boxed up, but there is no problem with operating the ethylene production facility, the NCC (naphtha cracking center)," and added, "In the petrochemical industry, it is common to stop and restart some lines depending on market conditions to improve operating efficiency."