Braskem to idle Pennsylvania PP unit

Braskem America confirmed today it will be idling one of its polypropylene (PP) production lines at its Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, plant.

"To ensure the long-term resilience of Braskem America amid continuing global economic uncertainty and a trough in the chemical industry business cycle, we have made the difficult decision to implement an extended idling of one of our polypropylene production lines at our facility in Marcus Hook, PA," the company said in an email to Argus.

The plant's two production lines have combined capacity of around 455,000 t/yr. The company did not provide information on which line was being shut, or how long it would be shut.

The closure will result in a limited reduction of workforce at the plant, the company said.

Market participants said the Marcus Hook plant is one of the oldest PP plants in the US and it has feedstock limitations.

The PP market has been weak in the US for much of 2023, and new capacity that started up at the end of last year in Canada and the US has created an oversupply.

By Michelle Klump