Chlor Alkali Plant

Screening Clinic Closure

Federal funds used to screen Libby, Montana residents for asbestos-related diseases have dried up, which will end the free health-surveillance program that started there in 2003.  The program began operations shortly after evidence emerged in Libby of widespread asbestos contamination.  The now-defunct W.R. Grace and Co. vermiculite mine had unearthed toxic soil that spread throughout the community.  There is another program that provides benefits that can be spent on screening to help fill the void of the federal grant funds.

Regional Accident Investigation Office

The Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board is recruiting accident investigators to staff a new office it hopes to open in Denver, Colorado.  This will be the first Chemical Safety Board (CSB) office outside of Washington, D.C.  The board is seeking chemical engineers, chemists and others with expertise relevant to accident investigation to staff the office.  The facility will depend on the quality of those applying for the positions and whether Congress provides adequate funding for it.

Explosions at a chemical plant in Yizhou, China killed at least 11 and injured dozens as well as forced the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents.  The multiple explosions spread fire across a nearly 108,000-square-foot area.  The local government evacuated 11,500 residents in case of further blasts and chemical leaks.  The plant mainly produces chemicals for adhesives and paints and is owned by Guangxi Guangwei Chemical Co.

Plant Cut

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. plans to cut runs of its naphtha crackers from September until the end of December.  This decision reflects weaker demand for petrochemical products.  The company will cut the operating rates of its three naphtha crackers in Japan to 80-85% capacity from their current 93% capacity.

Petrochemical Complex

The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) plans to begin construction of the southern petrochemical complex at the Long Son Oil and Gas Industrial Zone in Vietnam in late September.  The project is estimated to cost $4 billion.  The complex will be capable of producing 3 million tons of products/year.  The complex is a joint venture of PVN, Vietnam National Chemical Corporation, Vina SCG Chemicals and the Thai Plastic and Chemicals.  They expect the complex to be operational in late 2012 to supply petrochemical products including HDPE, LDPE, PE, PP and PVC to the Vietnamese market.