DATE :2017-05-07
Polystyrene (PS) production in Venezuela remains down at the local Estizulia plant because of lack of raw materials, a company source confirmed on Thursday.
The 70,000 tonne/year plant has been down since last October, when the company received a shipment of styrene and produced PS for about 15 days.
Plastic processors have resorted to imports from Brazil, Mexico or Colombia to supply their PS resin needs, but even these transactions have become difficult because of the lack of hard currency, local sources said.
The government of President Nicolas Maduro has been under pressure in recent weeks as Venezuelans started marching in the streets demanding solutions to the pressing shortages of basic household products, food and medicine.
The answer from the government has been repression and attempts to change laws with the objective of perpetuating the current power structure.
The government is ignoring suggestions by neighbouring countries to call immediate elections and has pulled Venezuela out of the Organization of American States (OAS).
The protests have resulted in a large number of injuries. Foreign governments are constantly making calls to find a peaceful solution.
The protests, either from the opposition or from government supporters, are causing major disruptions for companies, because many employees cannot reach their jobs on time. The marches usually cause the closure of metro stations, limiting people’s mobility.
Many employers dismiss employees early or alter schedules, seeking to increase the safety of their workers.
Venezuelans appear determined to continue protests until their demands are met.
Source Icis News