Chandra hits record output

JAKARTA (JP): The country's olefin producer PT Chandra Asri produced 381,000 metric tons of ethylene in 1996, marking the company's impressive performance in 1996.

The company stated that the firm also produced 216,500 metric tons of propylene for PT Tri Polyta Indonesia and sold 250,000 metric tons of polyethylene on the domestic market.

Chandra also exported 170,600 metric tons of pygas to overseas market.

The firm stated that it trimmed close to US$490 million in the current account deficit amid a global trend of increasing naphtha, the prime feedstock for ethylene production.

"Chandra Asri provided a cushion against rising world prices due to cheap transport," it said.

The firm plans to operate its facility at 100 percent this year to make a bigger contribution to the country's downstream needs. (09)