Braskem-Idesa Shuts Down Ethylene Cracker in Veracruz, Mexico, an Industrial Info Market Brief

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Braskem-Idesa has been forced to shut down several units at its Nanchital Complex in Veracruz, Mexico, after Mexico's National Centre for Control of Natural Gas (CENAGAS) cut off its natural gas supply. The natural gas transportation contracts have expired and need to be renewed.

Units shuttered include a 2.2 billion-pound-per-year ethane cracker; 200 million- and 250 million-pound-per-year HDPE units; and 200 million-pound-per-year LDPE units.

Braskem-Idesa has declared force majeure and is in negotiations with Cenagas to reestablish the supply as soon as possible. Expectations are to reach an agreement by December 23, so as to resume operations.

Click here for a list of active projects at the facility, and see map below.