Amoco, Salim will tie up

JAKARTA (JP): Amoco Chemical Asia Pacific, Ltd and Salim Chemicals announced a joint feasibility study yesterday to develop a polypropylene plant in Merak, West Java.

Amoco said in a statement that the plant, with an annual 200,000-metric-ton capacity, would mark Amoco's first polypropylene plant and most important investment in the Asia- Pacific region.

"Amoco is delighted to be working with a world-class organization such as Salim," Arthur R. McCaughan, president of Amoco Chemical Asia Pacific, said.

The statement said the new plant, which will commence operations in early 2001, would be associated with Salim-British Petroleum's cracker project and employ Amoco's gas-phase impact copolymer technology.

McCaughan said the polypropylene plant would benefit from Salim's involvement in the upstream cracker which would supply a secure source of propylene feedstock.

Amoco Chemical is one of the world's largest polypropylene producers with manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe, while Salim Chemicals is a chemical products manufacturer in Indonesia with inorganic and petrochemical products used in the production of plastics, toiletries, food seasoning and household goods. (aly)