RELEASED ON 25/02/13 (DD/MM/YY)

Mitsui Chemicals is considering starting the production of phenol derivatives like methyl isobutyl ketone and hydroquinone , which it produces in Japan, in Singapore's Sakra, Jurong Island, and inviting other companies to the site, to reinforce the foundation of its phenol business in Singapore. It also plans to integrate three currently separate instrument-panel rooms for its phenol and bisphenol A production facilities there in 2015.

Global demand for phenol declined in 2012, largely due to a slackened Chinese market, but the Asian market as a whole grew by an annual rate of some 6%. Sales of phenol produced by Mitsui's Singapore base expanded steadily in volume terms but profitability plunged as a result of higher costs for utilities, such as electricity and steam, in Jurong Island. Mitsui is looking into installing its own facilities for utilities, including supercritical-pressure coal-fired boilers that are designed to emit less carbon dioxide.

SOURCE Japan Chemical Web