Japan's MGC to cease OX, PA production in 2025
Japan's Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) will halt the production of orthoxylene (OX) and phthalic anhydride (PA) from its Mizushima site from mid-January 2025.
The more than 50-year-old 30,000 t/yr OX extraction plant and 40,000 t/yr PA unit will be shut because of reduced demand and a weak profitability outlook, according to MGC.
OX is mainly used as a raw material for PA, as well as for solvents and pharmaceutical and agricultural intermediates. PA is also used as a raw material for plasticizers that add flexibility to vinyl chloride resin.
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