Braskem Idesa Partially Restores Operations at Mexico Petrochemical Complex

Braskem Idesa said Thursday it had partially restored operations at the Etileno XXI polyethylene complex in Mexico’s Veracruz state.

In December, Mexico natural gas system operator Cenagas canceled the company’s access to pipeline natural gas supply, forcing Braskem Idesa to shut down Etileno XXI, the largest petrochemicals operation in Latin America. 

The Etileno plant uses natural gas as a feedstock in the petrochemical process. The complex includes an ethane cracker with capacity to produce 1.05 million tons/year of high and low density polyethylene.

Braskem said it had restarted operations in an “experimental business model” and in accordance with safety standards thus “reducing the impact on the Mexican plastic industry’s supply chain.”

The cessation of...