BP Petronas Acetyls Sdn Bhd (BPPA) has announced its plans to increase its acetic acid production from Paka plant to 600,000 tonnes annually from next the year, reported Bernama.
Fakhrul Razzi Abdul Malek, business manager of BPPA, said: “The proposal, however, would depend on gas supply from the national oil corporation, Petronas.”
The Paka plant has the capacity to produce 500,000 tonnes of acetic acid per annu, which is a joint venture between BP and Petronas.
“Some 85 per cent of the company’s output are exported to India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia while the other 15 per cent are used locally, particularly by plants in Gebeng, Kuantan,” added Mr Malek.
He also said that the with higher production the company aims to concentrate on the Indian market. Acetic acid is used in the production of plastic bottles, medicines and paint.
Additionally, BPPA has plans to open up branch factories elsewhere but again it would also depend on Petronas agreeing to it, reported Bernama.