台湾プラスチック概要　　　（1999年時点）

１．台湾プラスチック
　１９５４年１０月、王永慶現会長が設立した台プラグループの中核企業で、塩ビ関連事業が半分を占める。
　台湾初の塩ビ工場を高雄に建設し、５７年から生産開始、その後７３年から７５年にかけてカ性ソーダ〜ＶＣＭ〜ＰＶＣの一貫工場を仁武に建設し、８１年ＨＤＰＥ工場、８４年アクリル繊維工場、８５年には林園にも２４万トンのＶＣＭ工場を建設、全社ではＶＣＭを７２万トン体制とした。
　また８７年から８９年にかけて仁武のＰＶＣ設備増強を進め、８９年８月には林園にも１４万トンのＰＶＣ工場を新設、９０年９月に９万トンの２号機を増設して計２３万トンとした後、９３年から９５年にかけて仁武や林園の増強を図った結果、全社では９８万トンの塩ビ生産体制に引き上げている。
　最近の売上高構成比は、塩ビ５０％強、アクリル繊維１２％弱、アクリレート９％弱、ＨＤＰＥ９％強、ＨＣＦＣ３％弱、ＭＢＳ樹脂２％弱、その他となっている。
　新規事業として９１年央から生産を始めたＣＦＣは、特定フロン規制に対応して９３年央で生産中止、代わりにＨＣＦＣ１４１ｂや１４２ｂなど３品目の代替フロンに転換している。ＭＢＳ樹脂については９２年から企業化しており、９６年中に３割の増強を図った。またポリアセタールについては、立地先を当初計画の宜蘭から嘉義に移し、９３年初めまでに２万トン工場を建設、その後試運転と市場開拓を進めていたが、ようやく９５年から本格稼働した。炭素繊維については、９４年中に年産１３０トンの増設を図っており、９５年１月には事業撤退を決めた旭化成から年産１２０万�u能力のプリプレグ設備を買収し、高雄に移設した。９７年中に５００トンの炭素繊維新系列を増設し、１，０００トン体制へと倍増した。さらに高吸水性樹脂にも進出しており、９６年から本格生産を開始した。
　一方、台湾では民間企業初となるエチレンセンターとリファイナリー建設をグループの総力を挙げて推進、雲林県麦寮区にて９８年末までにナフサクラッカー１号機を完成させる。引き続いて２０００年春までには４５万バレル／日のリファイナリーも完成する見通し。

２．南亜プラスチック
　５８年８月に設立された台湾最大のポリエステル繊維メーカーであり、民間企業では台湾最大の売上高規模を誇る。売上高構成比はポリエステル繊維・織物など衣料関連製品が３２％強、軟質塩ビ８％弱、硬質塩ビが７％強、塩ビやウレタンなどプラスチックレザー製品が７％強、プリント配線板が７％、塩ビパイプが５％弱、エポキシ樹脂が４％と、プラスチック関係では塩ビの加工品が主力。近年ではインターフェイス・カードや銅箔基板（年産１７８５万枚能力）、プリント配線板（同９６０万平方フィート）など電子関連事業の展開に傾注しており、生産能力では世界一、売上高比も１３％以上となっている。同事業では９５年３月からＳＴＮ方式のＬＣＤ（液晶表示パネル）を月産４万枚規模で量産開始したほか、沖電気工業と提携して６４メガＤＲＡＭの量産も計画、年産１８万枚の８インチウエハ工場建設を予定しており、９７年８月にはプリント配線板の第４工場建設にも着手した。
　塩ビ可塑剤のＤＯＰは、元・台湾可塑剤の林園工場を吸収してトップメーカーとなり、２軸延伸ＰＰフィルムでもトップメーカ一である。また２軸延伸ＰＥＴフィルムでは２番手ながら設備能力はトップであり、９５年の３倍増設でシェア面でも新光合繊を追撃中。９３年８月からはＰＰ合成紙事業にも進出している。樹林のビスフェノールＡ工場は９１年４月に完成したが、トラブルが重なったため、エポキシ樹脂の原料自給化が果たせるようになったのは９４年春ごろである。そのエポキシ樹脂は９３年８月に１．６２万トン、９５年に１．２６万トン、９６年にも１．２万トン増設したが、９７年１１月には雲林に６．６万トンの新工場を建設した。今後、エンプラ事業には特に力を入れていく方針であり、５カ年計画で事業拡張していく。すでにＰＢＴやナイロン樹脂、ＰＰＳなど７品種のエンプラ用コンパウンド１．４万トン設備を９２年までに設置したが、９４年にはＰＢＴを２万トンに倍増、コンパウンド能力も９７年には６，０００トン増強して表記能力としたが、最終的に５万トンまで拡大する。一方、２０００年までには雲林にポリカーボネート６万トン設備を新設、同時に１万トンのＰＣシート加工設備も併設し、エンプラ関係で計１４万トンの生産体制を確立する計画。　一方中国へは、塩ビパイプ事業で進出する計画を進めており、台湾の塩ビ管加工メーカーなどと共に山東省、安徽省、福建省（廈門）などに各々１．８万トン／年の工場を建設していく。

３．台塑石化
　９２年５月、台湾プラスチック４０％／南亜プラスチック３０％／台湾化学繊維３０％出資合弁会社として資本金１５０億元で設立された。雲林県麦寮区に大規模な石油化学コンプレックスを建設するに当たり、グループ内の重複投資を避け、共通部分の有効活用を図る狙いでエチレンセンター会社「台塑石化公司」を設立、当初計画の同コンプレックス建設に必要な総工費９９５億元（うち２２５億元は公害防止投資）に対するグループ各社の投資負担比率として、台塑石化47.65%、台湾化繊18.93%、南亜プラ15.76%、ＦＰＣ15.75%、台塑重工1.91%を予定していた。
　ここに第７ナフサクラッカーの建設を検討していたチームの中から大連化学やＵＳＩファーイーストなど５社が参画を希望、第２期計画を追加することになり、台塑石化はエチレンの生産能力を４５万トンから１３５万トンヘ拡大、台湾化繊はＰＰ３０万トンを追加し、南亜プラはＥＶＡ２０万トンを追加、ＦＰＣはＨＤＰＥ，ＬＬＤＰＥ，ＶＣＭ，ＰＶＣ、フェノール／アセトンを拡大しアクリレートを追加することになった。このため、拡大コンプレックス全体の総工費は２，３９０億元にも膨らんだが、その後拡大No.６計画も含めてほとんどのプロジェクトを台プラグループだけで実施することにした。その結果、ＦＰＣはＨＤＰＥやフェノール、アクリレート、エピクロルヒドリン、ＭＭＡなどの設備能力を上方修正しており、南亜ブラはＥＧを自社の計画に組み入れた。台湾化繊も第２ＰＸを自社の計画に組み入れ、川下のＰＴＡまでを雲林で手掛ける方針に転じただけでなく、ＳＭの設備能力を上方修正し、大型の２号機計画を追加した。最終的には総工費２，９７２億元、海豊区を合わせた総敷地面積は２，５９６ｈａ、そのうち埋立面積は２，１０７ｈａに及ぶことになった。またＬＤＰＥ／ＥＶＡ計画をＦＰＣに移管、シクロヘキサン〜カプロラクタム計画は収り止め、塩ビやＨＤＰＥに見られるように２期に分けたプロジェクトを第１期計画で一気に実施してしまうものもある。なお南亜プラは、ＥＧの第２期計画については中国人造繊維とのＥＧ合弁会社「南中石化」を設立し、２０００年２月の操業開始をめざす。
　第１期計画の立地先である麦寮区１，５００ｈａは、雲林県北端の離島工業区に位置する海抜１ｍ地帯の干潟から成っており、うち６５０ｈａを第１期コンプレックス建設に用いた。９４年７月から埋立工事を始め、隣接する第２期計画予定地の海豊区では９４年８月から凌深工事に着手、９７年春時点で全体の６割が完成した。第１期計画は９８年半ばまでに１６のプラント群が完成し、第２期計画では２３基が９９年末までに完成する予定だが、一部の誘導品は２０００年にずれ込む可能性もある。同コンプレックスでは当初、第１期計画で原油処理能力１５万バレル／日（年産処理能力７５０万トン）の製油所を併設し、第２期計画では同３０万バレル（同１，５００万トン）を増設、必要なナフサなど石化原材料を自給するだけでなく、ガソリンなども産出する計画であったが、２０００年までに４５万バレルのリファイナリーを一気に完成させることになった。

麦寮コンビナート

(化学工業日報 2000/10/26)

偉容現す台湾「麦寮コンビナート」　 　
　　　エチレン１３５万トン体制　４７プラント順次稼働へ 　

世界が注目し、アジアの石油・石油化学の構図を大きく塗り替えるとみられる台湾プラスチック（ＦＰＣ）グループが推進する一大プロジェクト「麦寮コンービナート」。４７のプラント群が林立し、３６万トンのタンカーが岸壁に横付けしている姿は壮観である。同コンビナートの進捗状況と現状を報告する。 　

麦寮コンビナートは台湾の中部、雲林県の西海岸。濁水渓の出口。満潮時は陸地が海面下に没し、退潮時、わずかに湿地が現れる不毛の地であった。王永慶台湾プラスチックグループ会長が一大決断を下し、９４年４千億元（１兆２千億円）を投じて工業用地として開発を始めた。そして６年たったいま、２１３４ヘクタールの埋め立て地に４７のプラントが続々と稼働を開始、１日４５万バレルの原油を処理し、年間１３５万トンのエチレンを生産する。火力発電４２０万キロワットは、一部台湾電力公司にも供給する。環境保護には７０８億元（総工費の１８％）を費やしている。このプロジェクトを総称して「六軽」という。軽油（ナフサ）の第６番目プロジェクトという意味だ。 　
９４年に始めたこの一大工事は、まず石材などを使って海中に堤防をつくり、その囲みの中に外側の海底から掘り出した泥砂を積み上げ、埋め立てを行うもので、季節風の吹き荒れる中での作業環境は想像を超える厳しさがあった。こうして南北約８キロ、西側海面に向けて４キロの拡張を行い、２１３４ヘクタールの埋め立てを完成させた。もちろん、埋め立てだけでは使い物にならない。地質改良対策として、２５トンの重りを２０メートルの高さから３３回自由落下させて、地質を押し固めたのである。全域にわたってこの工事を行うのであるから、気の遠くなるような作業であったろう。一度、李登輝前総統が視察に訪れたとき、秒速２５メートルの強風の中で、大勢の人が立ち働いているのを見て、感動を覚えたという。埋め立てに使用した砂の総量、１億９１５立方メートル、使用したコンクリート５５０万立方メートル、完成した人造港は推進２４メートルに達し、２６万トンの船舶が往来、港域４７６ヘクタール、年間貨物の出入りは６千万トンに達する。 　
４７のプラントのうち、主な化学プラントは別表の通りだが、これに原油リファイナリー（煉油廠）、ナフサクラッカーがある。「汽電廠」は電力、蒸気、タービン、重機類の設計、製作を行う。ウエハー廠は日本のコマツ電子金属との提携で、７４億元（２３２億円）を投じ、ＩＳＯ　９００２の認証を得て２００１年から、シリコンウエハーの生産を開始する予定。生産量は年間２４０万ピース。「弾性繊維廠」では、２６億元の投資、弾性繊維年間５千トンを生産する予定。４７のプラントのうち、すでに生産を開始しているものは１９、試運転中のもの３、建設中のものは２５である。 　
このプロジェクトの完成は、台湾のエチレン自給率を３８％から９０％に押し上げ、中、下流の工業生産に１兆元（３兆円）の増加をもたらし現地では１０万人の雇用機会を、全国的には７５万人の雇用増加が見込まれる。ピーク時には外国人労働者１万８千人がいたが、現在約５千人という。従業員の福利施設も完備しており、４千人収容の独身宿舎、スーパー、ボウリング場、カラオケなど娯楽施設も一大ショッピングセンターを形成している。

化学工業日報　2002/6/26

台湾FPC、麦寮で第３期エチレン計画
　台湾プラスチック（ＦＰＣ）グループは、台湾・雲林県麦寮の石化コンビナートで、年産１５０万トンのエチレン設備を中心とした第３期石化計画の検討を開始した。同社はこれとは別に、中国本土におけるエチレン設備の建設を目指しているが、同社が１００％出資会社による計画推進を希望していることや、台湾当局がエチレン設備の本土進出の認可を出すか不透明であることなど、紆余曲折も予想されている。このため同社は、中国本土の計画が暗礁に乗り上げた場合の代替案として、麦寮における第３期計画を打ち出したものとみられている。

Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. 　　　　http://www.fpcusa.com/

Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.together with its subsidiaries (Formosa), is a full-service manufacturer and supplier of plastic resins and petrochemicals. Our operations include chemical and petrochemical manufacturing, natural gas drilling, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) downstream processing.
Formosa's plastic resins and petrochemicals are manufactured at three chemical manufacturing subsidiaries: Formosa Plastics Corporation, Delaware (dispersion PVC); Formosa Plastics Corporation, Louisiana (caustic soda, EDC, suspension PVC, and VCM); and Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas (caustic soda, EDC, suspension PVC, VCM, ethylene, HDPE, LLDPE, and PP).

Energy and raw materials for our chemical manufacturing operations are supplied by three additional subsidiaries acquired in 1988: Lavaca Pipe Line Company (natural gas transmission), Neumin Production Company (exploration and production of natural gas and oil), and Formosa Hydrocarbons Company, Inc. (gas processing). Formosa processes these raw materials into energy (electricity and steam) and intermediates (ethylene and propylene gas) used in the manufacture of our products, helping to ensure consistent quality and uninterrupted supply.

1981 StaufferからDelaware工場買収
1983 Texas(Point Comfort）工場建設　　　　　　　2002年増設
1990 Louisiana(Baton Rouge）工場建設
2002 　to Purchase Illiopolis, Illinois, Facility from Borden Chemicals and Plastics

Capacities(単位:million pounds)　　2002年

	Delaware	Illinois	Louisiana	Texas
Caustic	+	+	450	* 　 1,785
EDC	+	+	547	* 　 2,135
PVC Suspension Resin	+	+	918	1,266
PVC Dispersion Resin	144	+	+	+
Specialty PVC Resins Commodity PVC Resins	+	200 　　　200	+	+
VCM	+	+	1,410	840
Ethylene Gas	+	+	+	3,411
HDPE	+	+	+	1,484
LLDPE	+	+	+	582
PP	+	+	++	1,495 +140

* The Ion Exchange Membrane (IEM) Plant, which produces caustic and chlorine, and the
　 EDC Plant are owned by Formosa Plastics Corporation, America and managed by FPC TX.

PE：Formosa offers high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins for blow molding, film extrusion, injection molding, profile extrusion, sheet extrusion, and rotational molding applications. We are able to serve a wide range of applications in packaging and industrial markets by licensing a variety of technologies from BP Amoco, Nippon Petrochemical Company, and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (formerly Phillips Petroleum Company). All of Formosa's polyethylene resins are marketed under the tradename Formolene and manufactured in Point Comfort, Texas.

PP：Formosa utilizes a unique combination of technologies from Targor GmbH and Chisso Corporation to custom produce a wide range of homopolymers, impact copolymers, random copolymers, and thermoplastic olefins (TPOs). With a production capacity expected to reach 1.5 billion pounds per year by early 2001, our resin products range from semi-rigid, extremely tough, elastomeric materials, to very rigid grades that can withstand severe environments. Formosa also offers resins for films, filaments, automotive battery cases, and rigid packaging -- designed for easy processing, durability, and chemical resistance.

PVC：Formosa combines the technical benefits of North America's newest production facilities with more than 45 years of experience in PVC manufacturing. As one of the first PVC producers to offer the efficiencies of full-scale vertical integration, we've grown our 2.3 billion-pound per year PVC operations by helping our customers to grow their businesses.
All of Formosa's PVC resins, including suspension, dispersion, and compound grades, are designed for superior performance and processability and are marketed under the tradename Formolon.

Chlor-Alkali：With a combined annual capacity of 2.2 billion pounds per year, Formosa sells membrane and diaphragm grade caustic soda for chemical processing, soap and detergent, water treatment, pulp and paper, and aluminum.

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（Chemical Week　Mar 06, 2002 ）　

Formosa Starts Up PE and PP Units at Point Comfort

Formosa Plastics says it has brought a 550-million lbs/year high-density polyethylene (PE) unit and a 350-million lbs/year polypropylene (PP) unit at Point Comfort, TX onstream. The PP unit is the second train of a 700-million lbs/year plant; the first train came onstream last April.

Formosa says it will take down three of the six PP trains at Point Comfort, about 600 million lbs/ year of capacity, for catalyst enhancements during the second quarter. The company expects to run all 1.5 billion lbs/year of PP capacity by the end of the second quarter. The catalyst enhancements will allow the company to produce improved grades of PP, says Formosa.

The company says it will restart its 1.8-billion lbs/year ethylene cracker at Point Comfort in early March to feed the new polyolefins plants. The cracker started up last August, but it was taken down after a month. The company cited mechanical problems and weak market conditions.

The new unit will allow Formosa to meet nearly all of its ethylene requirements internally, the company says. Formosa will shut down a 1.6-billion lbs/year cracker at the same site for a four-week maintenance turnaround in the second quarter.

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中国計画　

(化学工業日報 2001/5/28）

  台湾ＦＰＣ    中国にエチレン拠点 　　独自出資　
　　　０４年、１００万トン超計画　　誘導品で日本と合弁も

　台湾プラスチック（ＦＰＣ）グループが、中国にエチレン年産１００万−１２０万トンを頂点とした世界規模の石油化学コンプレックスを建設する方向で検討に入った。総投資額は約６０億ドルで、うち約２０億ドルは自己資金でまかなう見通し。立地は逝江省・寧波と江蘇省・太昌（上海近郊）が有力候補で、早ければ２００４年にも完成させる。投資主体はＦＰＣの１００％出資となる見込みだが、主力誘導品の一部では日本企業との合弁も検討している。中国の次期エチレン計画は、これまで欧米の超大手企業による独占状態となっていたが、ＦＰＣがアジア勢として初めて割って入ることになる。
　ＦＰＣは中国で、台湾・麦寮の２号機と同規模の年産１００万−１２０万トンのナフサクラッカー（エチレン設備）を中国に建設、誘導品として、塩化ビニルモノマー（ＶＣＭ）／同ポリマー（ＰＶＣ）、スチレンモノマー（ＳＭ）、アクリロニトリル（ＡＮ）、ブタジエン、ＡＢＳ樹脂、アクリル酸などが建設される見込みだ。主体はＦＰＣの独資が基本だが、一部の製品では日本企業に出資を呼び掛けている模様だ。 　
　ＦＰＣはこれまで、台湾の麦寮と北米の２拠点で石化コンプレックスを展開。両拠点とも相次ぐ拡張投資を推進してきたが、麦寮は今年末完成の増強でエチレン年産１９０万トン体制、北米は今年６月の８２万トン増設で同１５０万トン体制が確立し、一連の大型投資が一段落する。こうしたことからＦＰＣは、次の拡大戦略として中国大陸への大型投資を決断、具体的な検討に入っているもの。 　
　中国では２００４−２００５年の完成をめどに、現地との合弁により独ＢＡＳＦ（南京）、英ＢＰ（上海）、英蘭シェル（恵州）の欧米大手が年産８０万トン級のエチレン計画を推進。その後も事業化を検討しているのが米エクソンモービルや米ダウ・ケミカルなどで、オイルメジャーや欧米大手化学企業の独占状態となってきた。 　
　ＦＰＣの計画は、アジア企業がこうした独占状態に風穴をあけるとともに、海外企業の独資によるエチレン計画が実現する画期的なものといえる。ただ、台湾政府は国内企業に対し、中国での投資に関して純資産の２割を超える投資や、エチレン設備を含めた基礎製品、基礎インフラの投資を認めていない。ＦＰＣの場合、純資産の２割以内というハードルはクリアできる見通しだが、政府がエチレンでの投資を認めるか微妙な情勢。このため誘導品計画を先行する可能性も指摘されている。

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Financial Times Information 2002/5/21

FPG to start developing petrochemical zone in mainland China

Taipei, May 21, 2002 (CENS)--Chairman Wang Yung-ching of the Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) estimated the group will have to inject a combined NT$150 billion to have complete manufacturing operations at a special petrochemical zone in Ningbo, in mainland China's Zejiang Province(逝江省・寧波). Wang made the estimation after the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) gave the long-waited approval to Formosa Plastics Corp.'s (FPC) US$49 million investment plan in the mainland to build a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) factory. He expected the nod from the government will enable the FPG to consolidate its various investment projects in the mainland for more efficient operations. Other member companies of the FPG have also built separate operations in the mainland. Wang and other senior executives of the group will integrate the various operations scattered at different areas into closely knit network with much higher competitive strength. After completing the PVC plant, the group will move on the establishment of production lines for intermediary materials like styrene monomer (SM) and polypropylene (PP)

The FPG has already been working on a long-term investment plan to build a huge petrochemical complex at an area of 1,100 hectares at Beilung near Ningpo. With its own industrial harbor, companies operating at the industrial zone will have the advantage of lower shipping costs and convenient transportation for raw materials and finished goods.  

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The Taiwan Economic News May 21, 2002　

Government OKs Formosa Plastics, Hon Hai projects in China

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on Monday approved nine investment projects in mainland China by Taiwan enterprises, including two cases that have been held for months.

The Investment Commission under the MOEA adopted the criteria newly set by the government when screening applications for investments in China.

The US$49 million project of the Formosa Plastics Group (FPG), one of Taiwan's top plastics suppliers, has been withheld by government for around one year.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., a major supplier of computer and telecom equipment, also saw two of its investment projects approved after a long wait. Officials explained that they need time for further checking about the projects and clarifications from investors.

Vice Economics Minister Shih Yen-hsiang, who is concurrently chairman of the Investment Commission, said all questions are now cleared under the new criteria. Business and industry leaders have been closely watching the FPG and Hon Hai Precision cases to find clues if the government is revising its economic policies toward Beijing.

FPG's plan is to build a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. The investment capital will be remitted to mainland China within three months. It will take two or three years to complete the construction of the factory, which is expected have a production capacity of 300,000 tons of PVC a year. The mainland imported about 2 million tons of PVC last year, 300,000 tons of which was from Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Group.

Hon Hai Precision will boost capital investment in two branches of Foxconn Precision Machinery Co. set up by the company. It will inject US$23.8 million into its Beijing factory and US$33.8 million into its Suzhou factory in Jiangsu Province.

The Investment Commission of the MOEA also approved six other investment ventures in the mainland by other Taiwan enterprises, including Delta Electronic Co. and Kao Hsing Chang Iron & Steel Co. to produce and market steep pipes.

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Chemical Week 2002/6/26

Registers China PVC Plant with Customs Authorities

Formosa Plastics says it has registered with China's customs authorities its previously announced 300,000-m.t./year polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant at Ningbo for imports of raw materials and exports of finished product. Formosa says it will import vinyl chloride monomer for the plant, which recently received Taiwanese government approval. Taiwanese companies require government approval to invest in mainland China. Completion of the PVC unit is slated for 2004.

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Asia Chemical Weekly　2003-12-18

Taiwan's FPC to delay startup of Ningbo PVC project

Formosa Plastics Corp (FPC) has delayed the startup of its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) project in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, to October 2004, according to a company source.

Originally due onstream in the middle of 2004, the 300 000 tonne/year plant was rescheduled for mechanical completion in August 2004.

The source said the delay was a result of slow progress in construction work.

FPC will source vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) feedstock from an expanded plant in Taiwan. The company is to expand its 720 000 tonne/year VCM plant in Mailiao, Taiwan, by 80 000 tonne/year by April 2004.

王永慶董事長インタビュー　

（化学経済 2001/2）

この人に聞く　 　台湾プラスチックグループ　王永慶董事長
　　　人の１０倍考え、１０倍の努力で克服 　

台湾最大の民間企業グループである台湾プラスチックグループは２０００年には雲林県麦寮にアジア最大の石油化学コンビナートを完成，稼働を開始した。
塩化ビニル樹脂（ＰＶＣ）日産４トンからスタートした同社は奇跡的な成長を遂げた同国の象徴ともいえる存在である。同グループの総帥である王永慶董事長にいろいろ伺った。

ＰＶＣ生産能力１０００倍に
ー　台湾の石油化学工業と台湾プラスチック（台塑）グループの発展について伺いたい。
王　台湾における戦後の経済開発は（中国）大陸と同じ計画経済で，公営事業として行われたために化学工業の発展は遅れた。石油化学工業の創業期には韓国と台湾のエチレン生産能力はほとんど変わらなかったが，韓国は市場経済を取り入れたことにより年産５３０万トン規模まで拡大したのに対して，台湾はわれわれのグループ（台塑石油化学・ＦＰＣ）の設備が完成する以前は１００万トンで，非常に大きな格差がついた。 　
台塑グループが台湾でＰＶＣを初めて生産したのは統制経済下の１９５７年で，小規模事業について政府の認可が得られるようになった。しかし生産量はわずかに日産４トン，年産にしても１２００トンにすぎなかった。その後，６トンに増設したが，この規模では競争力はほとんどなく，加工分野に進出せざるをえなかった。南亜プラスチックを設立し，加工事業を拡大させたが，国内の樹脂加工製品の需要は少なく，欧米への輸出に頼るしかなかった。当時は技術的な蓄積，人材も少なく，安い労働力と加工技術をもとにした安い製品を海外に販売した。その意味では台湾は加工業で成長した国だと思っている。 　
それが現在では，ＰＶＣの生産だけで年産１３０万トンに達しており，実に１０００倍の規模に拡大した。　ところが台湾の経済の成長に伴い，労働賃金が上昇し，生活レベルが上がったことであらゆるコストが高くなった。このためにインドネシア，マレーシア，タイなど安い労働力を持つ東南アジアの各国に追い上げられ，厳しい競争の場に立たされている。台湾の石油化学も明らかに成長が減速し，収益力も落ちてきている。

麦寮石化コンビナート軌道に 　
ー　雲林県麦寮に石油精製，自家発電を含む石化コンビナートが完成しましたが，これまでの経緯と今後の展開はいかがですか。
王　１４年前にエチレンセンターへの進出を決め，過去２回政府に対して建設計画を出したが，いずれも認められなかった。そのため（中国）大陸の福建省アモイで建設する計画を進めたが，これも凍結された。政府からエチレン建設の認可を受けたあとも環境問題で変更を余儀なくされ，最終的に麦寮になった。このため埋め立てやインフラ投資が大きくなった。考えてみるとこの間の失われた時間は大きい。 　
麦寮のエチレン能力は合計で年産１３５万トンで，石油精製，自家発電を併せ持っている。現在，フル生産に入っており，生産は軌道に乗っている。最大１７０万トンまでの生産が可能だが，台湾の樹脂加工業界が縮小しており，内需の伸びが期待できず，人件費の安い大陸へ輸出して加工せざるをえなくなっている。中間製品の多くは輸出にまわることになる。

ー　麦寮での今後の事業展開についてはいかがですか。
王　台湾の石油化学工業も台湾経済と同様に大きな転換期を迎えている。汎用の石化産業は伸びないし，人手のかかる産業は後進国にシフトしていかざるをえない。台湾における石化産業の収益も落ちており，魅力が薄れている。われわれの投資も麦寮のコンビナート建設で一段落している。

ー　２０００年は原油価格が上昇しましたが，その影響はいかがですか。
王　原油価格の値上がりは石油化学製品のコストに影響するが，これは石油化学全体に共通して言えることで，厳しさは各社変わらないと考えている。

怖くないシンガポール石化製品
ー　シンガポールやサウジアラビアでオイルメジャー系の石化企業の新増設が続いているが，競争力の問題はありませんか。
王　シンガポールは台湾よりは人件費が安いが，インフラなどのコストが高く，条件的にもよくないと思う。内需はほとんどなく，従来の販売先であったインドネシア，タイ，マレーシアなど東南アジア各国もエチレン設備を建設しているだけに，販売するにしても環境が厳しくなっている。 　
その一方で，われわれは設備の各段階で合理化を進め，コストダウンを図っており，競争力を高めている。ポリプロピレンなどは１系列で年産３０万トンと大型化し，運転要員も少なくし，製造原価に占める人件費の割合を低くしている。 　
同時に米国での経験を生かし，会計，生産などのシステムを電子化，専用回線を使って世界における販売状況などが即時に分かるようになっている。

ー　大陸での投資を検討していますか。
王　現在のところ，大陸に積極的に進出する気持ちはない。将来，ＷＴＯ（世界貿易機構）に加盟すれば，両国の間の貿易も活発化し，結びつきが強まるので，進出する必要はない。 　汎用の石化製品は人件費の安い国にシフトするのが流れであり，アジアの新興国の人件費の１０倍になっている台湾勢が今後の競争に打ち勝つには人の１０倍考え，１０倍努力しなければならない。 　
それが自然の流れと考えている。

（Formosa 2002/3/8　発表）

Formosa Announces Intent to Purchase Illiopolis, Illinois, Facility from Borden Chemicals and Plastics Operating Limited Partnership

Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. (Formosa) today announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the Illiopolis, Illinois-based polyvinyl chloride (PVC) operations of Borden Chemicals and Plastics Operating Limited Partnership (BCP). The transaction is subject to approval in bankruptcy court.

Earlier this month, Formosa began operating a 550-million-pound-per-year HDPE unit, now producing commercial grade product, and the second train of a 700-million-pound-per-year polypropylene unit. The new train begins production as three of Formosa's six polypropylene trains undergo catalyst system enhancements designed to accelerate the development of new products. The first train of the new polypropylene unit was brought on-line in April 2001.

A leading supplier to the North American PVC market, Formosa currently manufactures suspension, dispersion, compound, and composite resins at its existing facilities in Delaware City, Delaware; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Point Comfort, Texas.

Upon approval, the acquisition would boost Formosa's PVC capacity 400 million pounds to more than 2.7 billion pounds annually. The Illiopolis operations would also broaden Formosa's PVC product line by adding another 200 million pounds of specialty grade capacity for products such as suspension copolymer, blending, and paste resins as well as another 200 million pounds of flexible homopolymer.

"Formosa looks forward to operating the Illiopolis facility with the same commitment to cost-effective manufacturing, quality, and service that has made us a leader in the PVC industry," said Executive Vice President C. L. Tseng. "The acquisition would bring together a unique combination of specialty process technologies, allowing us to create additional value for our customers and deliver more competitive products to the PVC market."

Parties to the agreement are BCP and Formosa Plastics Corporation, Delaware, a wholly owned subsidiary of Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.

New York (Platts)--28Mar2002

The US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware Thursday approved the bid by Formosa Plastics Corporation, Delaware, to acquire the assets and operations of Borden Chemicals and Plastics' polyvinyl chloride plant in Illiopolis, Illinois, for approximately $35-mil, subject to adjustments for working capital and other items. BCP announced Mar 8 it had executed an asset purchase agreement with Formosa to acquire the Illiopolis assets and operations, pending court approval. BCP expects to conclude the sale transaction in April. Discussions continue concerning disposition of BCP's plant in Geismar, Louisiana, said Mark Schneider, president and chief executive officer, BCP Management, the general partner of BCP. In Febarury, BCP sold its PVC plant in Addis, Louisiana, to Shintech Louisiana, LLC.

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（CHEMICAL WEEK NEWSWIRE　Mar 11, 2002）

Formosa Agrees to Acquire BCP's Illinois Vinyls Unit

（略）

BCP, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last spring, is required to place its Illiopolis plant on the auction block before it can be sold to Formosa. Other interested parties can submit bids through March 21. If other bids are received, the auction will be held on March 25. BCP idled the Illiopolis unit early last year, citing weak market demand. BCP recently completed the sale of its 600-million lbs/year PVC plant at Addis, LA to Shintech. The sale leaves BCP with its 275-million lbs/year plant at Geismar.

化学工業日報　2002/6/17　

ＦＰＣ、ＰＰ子会社の持ち株比率９８％に

　台湾の大手石化メーカーの台湾プラスチックス（ＦＰＣ）は、ポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）子会社の永嘉化学工業の持ち株比率を４９％から９８％に引き上げた。投資会社である中央投資が保有する株式を約１９億台湾ドルで買収した。永嘉化学は、１９８０年１０月に設立されたＰＰ専業メーカーで、年産能力は３０万トンとなっている。

化学工業日報　2002/11/21

台湾ＦＰＣ、麦寮でエチレン増強完了へ

　台湾プラスチック（ＦＰＣ）グループの台塑石油化学（ＦＰＣＣ）が進めていたエチレン設備の増強がこのほど完了、同社のエチレン年産能力は１６０万トンとなったことが明らかになった。ポリエチレンや合繊原料など誘導品需要の伸びに対応、麦寮の年産４５万トン設備（第１系列）の増強を進めていたもので、来月にかけてフル稼働に入る見通しだ。

2002/12/2 Chemical Week

Formosa to Form Holding Company; Plans Esters Plant in China

Formosa Plastics Group says it plans to merge five of its listed subsidiaries into a single holding company, Formosa Plastics Holdings, which will have a single listing on the Taipei stock exchange. Formosa Plastics Holdings will be capitalized at more than NT$210 billion ($6 billion). The firms to be merged are Formosa Plastics; Formosa Chemicals & Fibre; Nan Ya Plastics; Formosa Petrochemical; and Formosa Taffeta.

Separately, Formosa says it plans to apply to the Taiwanese government for approval to build a 230,000-m.t./year acrylic esters plant at Ningbo, China. The plant will cost $163 million, Formosa says.

December 11, 2002 Financial Times　

Citibank, Bank of China to jointly lead US$217 M. loan to Formosa Chemical

Citibank and Bank of China will jointly lead a US$217 million seven-year syndicated loan to finance construction of a petrochemical plant to be built by Formosa Chemical & Fibre Corp. in Ningpo, Jiangsu Province of mainland China

Formosa Chemical & Fibre is a core unit of the powerful Formosa Plastics Group. This would be the first syndicated loan led by a mainland Chinese bank for a Taiwan-invested company in the mainland, banking sources said. The petrochemical plant will be composed of three factories, including a 250,000-metric-ton-a-year acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plant, a 300,000-ton-a-year polyvinyl chloride plant and a power-generating plant. Total capital input of the petrochemical plant will be around US$1 billion, according to sources at the giant plastics group. The US$217 million loan is just the initial capital needed for the construction of the plant. Other bidders of the syndicated loan include ABN Amro Bank, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. and BNP Paribas

Citibank also helped arrange a US$350 million syndicated loan for the Formosa Plastics Group early this year, with Bank of China also contributing US$50 million in the financing.

April 4, 2003 Financial Times

FPC to expand VCM.

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) capacity at Formosa Plastic Corp's 720,000 tonne/y facilities in Mailiao, Taiwan, is to be increased by 80,000 tonne/y. Project completion is expected by the end of 2004. During 2003, the company also intends to raise ethylene dichloride capacity at Mailiao by 200,000 tonne/y to 800,000 tonne/y.

May 28, 2003 Financial Times

Formosa Plastics gets govt backing for Phase IV expansion

Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday promised full support to the latest investment plan of Taiwan's petrochemical giant, the Formosa Plastics Group, for the fourth-phase expansion of its petrochemical complex in Mailiao, Yunlin County in southwest Taiwan

FPG vice chairman Wang Yung-tsai visited the Executive Yuan and personally submitted the investment plan to Premier Yu, who was accompanied by Vice Premier Lin Hsin-yi, Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Yi-fu, and Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu. Wang explained that one of the FPG's top concerns at present is the labor issue, explaining that the company is looking to the government for help in securing some 7,000 foreign laborers during the two years of the fourth-stage development. The new expansion will require another 12,000 engineers and workers, which will be recruited domestically

When the fourth-stage development plan is completed, the petrochemical complex will have a production capacity of 2.75 million metric tons of ethylene annually, together with 1.45 million tons of aroma, 600,000 million tons of SM, and 300,000 tons of phenol. When completed within two years, the expanded production value will be worth NT$235.1 billion annually, which will help push Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) up by 2.3%. The combined output value of the whole complex increase to NT$600 billion per year and help induce additional production value of over NT$1 trillion for downstream and related industries plus 750,000 jobs nationwide

Premier Yu praised the new NT$124.6 billion investment project as a concrete example supporting the government's policy of seeking to encourage Taiwan enterprises to "plow deeply on the island and keep their business roots at home." The premier also expressed his appreciation to the FPG's decision to channel a huge amount of capital into the petrochemical industry at a time when the country's economic downturn has been further aggravated in the wake of the U.S.-led war in Iraq and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Yu promised that his Cabinet will spare no efforts in helping out Formosa regarding the fourth-stage expansion project, including the introduction of 7,000 foreign workers as a special case and pass a special environmental impact appraisal within two to three months.

June 13, 2003 Financial Times

Formosa Plastics expands capacity at Mailiao complex.

Formosa Plastics is to invest NT$5 bn in capital expenditure projects in Mailiao, Taiwan, during 2003. Capacity for caustic soda is to be increased by 350,000 tonnes/y to 1.05 M tonnes by Jun 2004. Capacity for vinyl chloride monomer is to be improved by 200,000 tonnes/y to 1.52 M tonnes by Apr 2004. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) capacity is to be increased by 50,000 tonnes/y to 500,000 tonnes/y. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer capacity is to be increased by 40,000 tonnes/y to 240,000 tonnes/y. Capacity for linear low-density PE (LLDPE) will rise by 24,000 tonnes/y to 264,000 tonnes/y before the end of 2004. In Sep 2002 Formosa Plastics completed the expansion of acrylic esters at Mailiao by 18,000 tonnes/y to 198,000 tonnes/y. Formosa Petrochemical is to expand ethylene capacity at the same site from 1.45 M tonnes/y to 1.7 m tonnes.

July 28, 2003 Financial Times

Formosa Plastics gains OK for Acrylic Ester and PS China plants

The Ministry of Economic Affair's Investment Commission recently approved two of Formosa Plastics Group's mainland China investment proposals.

Formosa Plastics plans to invest US$49.57 million in an AE(Acrylic Ester) plant and Formosa Chemicals will invest US$17 million in a PS plant, both in Ningpo. The two proposals along with additional foreign funding represent a total investment of around US$200 million and are a rare investment by the Formosa Plastics Group in the mainland plastics sector in recent years.

The Formosa Plastics Group hopes that the two plants will be operational before other foreign competitors have the chance to implement their investment proposals, a representative said. While the Formosa Plastics Group will continue to be based in Mailiao, these investments will accelerate the group's cross-strait vertical integration and labor division policy.

Formosa Plastics first proposed the investment plan for the construction of the 230,000-ton AE plant in November last year, with the total investment of US$140 million to be split between US$49.57 million of funds provided from Taiwan and the remainder provided by outside financing. The plant represents Formosa Plastics second largest investment in Ningpo behind their existing PVC plant.

Another factor worth noting is that the AE produced in various Asian countries and the U.S. has fallen victim to anti-dumping punishment by the mainland Chinese government in recent years with each of these countries subject to substantial anti-dumping levies. As Taiwan is the only country not subject to this treatment, the investment by Formosa Plastics is expected to obtain a significant market share.

Formosa Chemicals proposal to invest US$17 million in a PS plant in Ningpo was also approved by the Investment Evaluation Committee and represents the company's second SM-related plant in Ningpo after the existing ABS plant. The proposal continues Formosa Chemical's development of a Taiwan-produced SM, mainland-produced ABS and PS cross-strait vertical integration and labor division model.

August 15, 2003 Financial Times

Formosa Plastics plans PP plant in Ningbo in eastern China

The Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) has decided to increase its petrochemical investment in mainland China by setting up a polypropylene (PP) in Ningbo on the eastern cost of the mainland

Directors on the board of Formosa Plastics Corp. yesterday approved the project that will cost US$18.9 million. The plant will have an annual output of 300,000 metric tons of the petrochemical material

Executives of the company said they will submit the investment application to the Investment Commission under the Ministry of Economic Affairs this week for approval

Formosa Plastics Corp. has already built pants producing other petrochemical products like PVC, AE at the Beilun special technology district in Ningbo

Aside from the new PP plant planned by Formosa Plastics Corp., the company's affiliate Formosa Chemical & Fibre Corp. has built ABS, PS, and PTA plants plus a thermal power plant in the same area.

Platts 2003/9/3

Formosa advances naphtha cracker completion by a year to 2006

Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical has moved forward by a year the planned completion of its No 3 naphtha cracker at Mai Liao to early 2006, a company source said Wednesday. Formosa would begin construction by the end of 2003.

Platts 2003/10/13

Taiwan's Formosa plans 50kt PP debottlenecking for mid-November

Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corp has planned a mid-November debottlenecking at its 180,000 mt/yr PP plant in Lin Yuan that would expand the capacity of the plant by 50,000 mt/yr to 230,000 mt/yr, a company source said Monday. The plant would be shut down for about 10 days to accomplish the expansion.

Platts 2003/10/13

Formosa to expand Texas PP capacity with Chisso technology

Formosa Plastics Corp, USA reported Monday that in late September 2003 it signed the first licensing agreement for Newcon, Chisso Corp's reactor thermoplastic polyolefin (RTPO) alloy. It also reported it will expand its polypropylene capacity at its Point Comfort, Texas, plant by 140-mil lb/yr to produce the new RTPOs. The expansion is expected to be completed by Q4 2004. It will raise Point Comfort's PP capacity to 1.64-bil lb/yr. Under the agreement Formosa will license technology to produce Newcon, a new proprietary RTPO alloy manufactured with the Chisso gas phase polymerization process and a Chisso catalyst. The Newcon alloy is composed of hard crystalline polymer and soft elastomeric segments. Two types of Newcon alloy can be produced, with the elastomeric segments dispersed to produce either a fine lamellar or fine globular morphology to allow the creation of a variety of physical properties in the polymer.

---

http://www.chisso.co.jp/pro.html

リアクターTPO ニューコン
　　　柔軟、耐熱、寸法安定性/自動車部品、弱電部品、日用品、包装用フィルム、シート

2004/2/25 Platts

Formosa to start second phase ACN debottlenecking project in May

Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corp plans to start the second phase of a debottle-necking project at its 200,000 mt/yr acrylonitrile plant in Mai Liao in May, boosting total capacity at the plant to 240,000 mt/yr, a company source said Wednesday. During this second phase, Formosa would shut down its 100,000 mt/yr No 1 line in May for about two weeks, hiking the capacity to 120,000 mt/yr.
During the first phase of the project, which started from mid-September last year and took about one month, the other No 2 line was expanded by 20% to 120,000 mt/yr as well. This additional capacity, however, has not yet been brought on line. Both lines would be started up at the same time, after completion of the second phase of the debottlenecking project. Formosa uses most of its existing ACN output captively, and would export the additional ACN output to its new 120,000 mt/yr ABS plant in Ningbo, China, slated for start-up in early April, the source said.

2004年3月4日中国・ASEANニュース速報

【台湾】台塑、中油にナフサ建設で提携提案へ
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0403_1/04030407.htm

台湾プラスチック傘下の台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）と台湾聚合化学品（ＵＳＩファーイースト）は、３月20日の総統選挙後にも中国石油の郭進財董事長に対し、エチレン年産100万トンのナフサプラントの建設に関して提携を提案する考えだ。３日付経済日報が伝えた。

台塑と台聚は当初、独自に高雄県・林園石油化学工業団地にナフサプラントの建設計画を進めていたが、基礎原料生産向けの用地不足がネックとなっていた。折りしも同地では中油が第３ナフサプラントの建設を進めており、原料供給にも問題がないため、３者の提携計画が浮上したもようだ。

郭董事長はこの計画について、「話し合いを歓迎する」と積極的な姿勢を示す。中油が民間企業である台塑・台聚と提携すれば、工場設立のスケジュール短縮が見込まれ、中油側へのメリットも大きい。台湾区石油化学工業同業公会の周新懐理事長は、公営企業である中油独自の投資計画は、政府の予算案として立法院で審査されるため、手続きが煩雑となり時間のロスも大きいとした上で、今回の提携計画では中油は資金面のみでの協力で、計画の主体は台塑と台聚となるため、手続きが大幅に簡略化されると期待を示した。

中油は、現在の第３および第４ナフサプラントに代わる、年産120万トンおよび年産100万トンのエチレン工場２基の新規建設を計画中。また、雲林台西石化科技工業団地にも年産100万トンのエチレン工場を建設する予定だ。これらの新エチレン工場の完成後、同社のエチレン生産は高雄の精油所での生産分50万トンを含め、年間で370万トンに達する。

郭董事長は、新工場建設後の同社の生産規模は台プラグループを超えるとした上で、多くの民間業者による投資を呼びかけている。

Platts 2004/3/24

Taiwan Formosa to complete 600,000 mt/yr styrene unit in H2 2006

Taiwan's Formosa Chemical and Fibre plans to complete its styrene monomer unit in Mai Liao, currently under construction, in the second half of 2006, sources close to the company said Wednesday.

FCFC's new No 3 unit would have a nameplate capacity of 600,000 mt/yr, and would boost the producer's total styrene capacity at its Mai Liao complex to 1.05-mil mt/yr. Almost all of the styrene would be for captive use, sources said. Its No 3 unit, which employs Fina/Badger styrene technology, would be part of a mega-integrated facility that would include ethylbenzene and ethylene production chain. Formosa's new No 3 cracker would a capacity to produce 1.2-mil mt/yr of ethylene. The cracker was slated for completion at the same time as the styrene unit in H2 2006.

中国・ＡＳＥＡＮニュース速報　2004/6/10

【台湾】台プラ、寧波にナフサプラント投資申請へ

　台湾プラスチックグループは近く、中国・浙江省寧波市北崙経済技術特区にエチレン年産80万トン規模のナフサプラント建設の投資申請を行う。投資総額は約300億台湾元。同技術特区が台プラのために確保している約1,000ヘクタールの用地が、間もなく期限の２年を迎えるため、まず中国側に申請して認可を取得し、台湾政府が中国への石化プラント投資を解禁した時点で直ちに着工する狙いがあるようだ。９日付経済日報が伝えた。

　台プラグループの幹部は８日、「政府の解禁を待ってから実際の投資を行う」と述べ、政府には引き続き台湾区石油化学工業同業公会を通じて解禁の働きかけを行っていくことを強調した。また寧波北崙の同社石化事業において、ナフサプラントは当初から投資項目の一つとして挙げており、各石化プラントを統合し一貫生産体制を築いていく考えだ。また、投資を急ぐ背景として、現在サウジアラビアの石化メーカー、サウジ基礎産業公社（ＳＡＢＩＣ）や中国石化鎮海煉油化工（シノペック・ジェンハイ）などが相次いで投資申請を行っており、投資が遅れれば中国市場のビジネスチャンスを失うとの見方だ。

　寧波北崙では、台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）がプラスチック原料のポリ塩化ビニル（ＰＶＣ）、ポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）、アクリル酸エステル（ＡＥ）などを生産、台湾化学繊維（フォルモサ・ケミカルズ＆ファイバー）が芳香族化合物の高純度テレフタル酸（ＰＴＡ）、ポリスチレン（ＰＳ）、アクリロニトリル・ブタジェン・スチレン（ＡＢＳ）などを生産している。今回のナフサプラントなどの石化川上事業は、台塑石化（フォルモサ・ペトロケミカル）が統括に当たる。

2004/7/2 中国・ＡＳＥＡＮニュース速報

【台湾】台化、寧波のＰＴＡ工場に追加投資

台湾化学繊維（台化＝フォルモサ・ケミカルズ＆ファイバー）は６月30日、中国・浙江省寧波の100％出資子会社、台化興業（寧波）に4,830万米ドルを追加投資して、高純度テレフタル酸（ＰＴＡ）の生産能力を拡大することを決定した。

中国では、各メーカーによるポリエステル化学繊維工場の建設が進んでいるが、原料となるＰＴＡは年間470万トン不足しているとされる。台化もＰＴＡ工場６基の建設を計画しているが、全て完工しても供給不足の解消にならないほど、需要は旺盛だ。

同社のＰＴＡの年産能力は現在、雲林県・麥寮工場と宜蘭県・龍徳工場の２工場あわせて150万トン、中国では60万トンに達しており、ＰＴＡの売上高は同社の全体売上高の３割を占めている主要事業だ。

１日付経済日報が伝えた。

Platts 2004/7/5

Formosa Plastics plans new PP plant in Ningbo for late 2006

Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corp has planned a new 450,000 mt/yr polypropylene plant in Ningbo, China, slated for completion by late 2006 or early 2007, a company source said Monday.

The completion of the plant would coincide with the start up of Formosa Petrochemical Corp's No 3 naphtha cracker at Mai Liao in the same period. The new PP plant would source propylene from the new cracker, which would have an ethylene and propylene capacity of 1,200,000 mt/yr and 600,000 mt/yr, respectively. The Formosa group also plans a new 600,000 mt/yr styrene monomer plant to go along with the No 3 cracker. The styrene plant would be run by Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corp.

2004年7月8日　中国・ＡＳＥＡＮニュース速報

【台湾】台塑石化、プロピレン増産で中国へ供給
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0407_1/04070802.htm

　台塑石化（フォルモサ・ペトロケミカル）は、約100億台湾元を投じて、オレフィン分解およびプロピレン生産工場を雲林県麦寮の第６ナフサプラント内に設ける。中国・浙江省寧波の北崙技術経済特区に建設するポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）生産工場への供給を視野に入れた大型投資計画だ。７日付経済日報が伝えた。

　第６ナフサプラントの第３オレフィン工場における年産量は、エチレン120万トン、プロピレン60万トン、ブタジエン18万トンとなっている。このうち、オレフィン分解設備の新設で、プロピレンの年産量が85万トンまで増加することになる。

　設計工程はすでに開始されており、ドイツのＡＢＢルマスの技術を活用する。原料となるエチレンおよび２―ブチレンは、台塑石化の日産45万バレルの原油精製工場と第３オレフィン工場からの供給を受ける。2006年末に試生産を開始する予定だが、２―ブチレンの供給不足が予想され、フル稼働は2007年にずれ込みそうだ。

■寧波工場は50％規模拡大
　増産されるプロピレンは、台塑石化傘下の永嘉化学工業、台湾化学繊維（台化＝フォルモサ・ケミカルズ＆ファイバー）の雲林県・麦寮工場のそれぞれ年産35万トンのＰＰ生産工場のほか、建設計画中の寧波工場にも供給される。

　同工場はもともと年産30万トンを予定していたが、オレフィン分解設備の新設で原料供給体制が整うことを受け、年産45万トンへと規模を拡大する。建設資金はコスト削減により40億元を下回る見込み。ＰＰの単一工場としては世界最大規模となる同工場は、2006年末から2007年初頭にかけての完成、生産開始を目指し、生産量の40％は包装、運輸設備、自動車部品用の耐衝撃樹脂となる予定だ。

■事業拡大で中国で石化王国を
　台湾プラスチックグループは、寧波の北崙技術経済特区における事業を、点および線から面への展開を進めている。同特区では、台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）がプラスチック原料のポリ塩化ビニル（ＰＶＣ）、ＰＰ、アクリル酸エステル（ＡＥ）などを生産、台化が芳香族化合物の高純度テレフタル酸（ＰＴＡ）、ポリスチレン（ＰＳ）、アクリロニトリル・ブタジェン・スチレン（ＡＢＳ）などを生産している。川下から川上へと事業範囲を拡大し、王永慶董事長の夢である「中国石油化学王国」の形成を目指す。

2004年7月20日 中国・ＡＳＥＡＮニュース速報

【台湾】台プラ、30億元で寧波にバース５基増設
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0407_3/04072002.htm

台湾プラスチックグループは、中国・浙江省寧波の北崙港にバース５基を増設する。原料の輸入を強化するほか、生産製品の輸送も視野に入れる。19日付工商時報が伝えた。

今回の投資額は30億台湾元に達し、バースは早くて来年2005年末からの使用開始となる。石油製品や化学品運搬船、石炭ばら積みおよびコンテナ船が停泊でき、中台間の原料運搬の中心として年間500万トン超の取り扱いを見込む。台プラグループは中台で港湾施設を持つ唯一の製造業者となり、第１バース建設は昨年開始され、来月８月にも完成する予定だ。

政府によりナフサプラントの中国投資開放が計画されており、各石油化学メーカーはプラント設立のビジネスチャンスを狙っている。台プラグループによるバース増設も同計画を視野に入れたものと捉えられ、中東および麦寮で粗製したナフサを寧波に輸送し、現地に建設するナフサプラントに供給する考えだ。また、麦寮での工業港の運営経験から、自社によるバース建設の効率性が高いという計算もある。

今回の５基増設で、現地の石化工場向け原料の供給を円滑にするほか、加工製品の他地域への輸送も行う予定だ。華北の大連、西部の重慶など、中国内需市場を狙った製品輸送も強化する。

中国・ＡＳＥＡＮニュース速報　2004年8月13日

台プラとシノペック、業務提携で交渉
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0408_2/04081304.htm

　王永在・台湾プラスチックグループ副董事長は11日、同グループの幹部らとともに中国石油化工集団（シノペック）の上層部と、両者間での原油の委託精製、原料供給、貿易などの業務に関する戦略的提携の協議を行った。

　台プラグループは浙江省寧波市の北崙経済技術特区にエチレン年産120万トン規模のナフサプラントの建設を計画しているが、台湾政府はまだナフラプラントの対中投資を許可していない。このため、シノペックとの提携によって北崙への石化原料の供給を期待している。

　シノペックは傘下に大規模な原油精製工場を持っている。しかし、中国の自動車産業の急速な成長によってディーゼル油が不足しており、新たな委託精製先を求めている。これは、台塑石化（フォルモサ・ペトロケミカル）にとって、設備稼働率を上昇させられるため理想的だ。台プラグループとシノペックは、今回の協議で同件についても話しあったとみられる。

■上層部が勢揃い
　シノペックは中国最大の石化企業で、今回は北京本社の副総経理クラスの幹部ら十数人が来台した。台プラ側は王副董事長のほか、台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）の王金樹副董事長と李志村総経理、台湾化学繊維（台化＝フォルモサ・ケミカルズ＆ファイバー）の王文淵総経理と洪福源副総経理、南亜塑膠工業の呉欽仁総経理と林振鈴副総経理、台塑石化の王文潮総経理と蘇啓邑副総経理ら、グループの主立った幹部が揃って出席した。
　現在中国では、独ＢＡＳＦと英ＢＰ（ブリティッシュ・ペトロレアム）がシノペックグループ各社との合弁で石油化学プラントの建設を始め、シェル・オイル・プロダクツ、ダウ・ケミカル、エクソンモービルの米大手３社もそれぞれ具体的な建設計画を持っている。このうちＢＡＳＦは大手他社に先駆けて来年から生産を始める。中国海洋石油との合弁による投資額43億米ドルの石油化学プラントが2008年に完工するシェルは、年産でエチレン80万トンのほか、低密度ポリエチレン15万トン、低密度ポリエチレンまたは高密度ポリエチレンの互換生産の30万トン、およびポリプロピレン24万トン、スチレンモノマー65万トン、エチレングリコール32万トンなどの中間製品を生産する予定で、業界に大きなインパクトを与える。
　
■市場乗り遅れ懸念
　中国石油化学市場のシェア争いは来年から激しくなるとみられ、台湾メーカーの投資が遅れれば、将来参入の余地がなくなる恐れがある。
　すでに多くの顧客企業が中国に展開している台プラグループが、開放の遅れに焦りを感じていることはシノペックも理解しており、提携が成立しやすい状況だ。
　12日付経済日報が報じた。

2004年9月7日 中国・ＡＳＥＡＮニュース速報

【台湾】長春、台プラ第６ナフサに大型投資
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0409_2/04090704.htm

総投資額1,246億台湾元に上る台湾プラスチックグループの第６ナフサプラント第４期工程に、長春グループが参入する。投資額は200億台湾元近くに上る大規模なもの。特殊プラスチックなどの生産も行う予定で、アジア太平洋地区の石油化学業界で競争力向上を図る。

６日付工商時報によると、台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）の李志村総経理が長春グループの投資計画を明らかにし、「原料は現在建設中の第３号ナフサ分解プラント（ＯＬ―３）から調達する」と語った。長春グループの林書鴻董事長は、「投資案はすでに行政院環境保護署（環境庁）に提出した。環境アセスメントの分析を経て、実行に移す」と慎重姿勢を崩さなかったものの、台プラと長春という石化業界の２強が、雲林県麦寮の第６ナフサプラントで強力タッグを結成するのは既定路線となった。

第６ナフサプラントではエチレン年産120万トン分のＯＬ―３が原料調達の要となる。主力製品は５大汎用樹脂やスチレンモノマー（ＳＭ）など多岐にわたる予定。今回、長春グループが投資することで、製品の幅が特殊用途向けやエレクトロニクス関連のプラスチックにまで広がる。光ディスクの原料となるフェノールやビスフェノールＡの生産が視野に入れられている。

■競合先から提携先へ

台プラグループ内では、長春グループとの提携計画は１年以上前から浮上していたが、傘下４社による協議がなかなかまとまらなかった。長春グループを提携先とみるか、競争相手とみるかの判断も分かれていたようだ。

しかし最終的には、生産分エチレンの有効活用、リスク回避などの点を考慮して投資を受け入れた。長春グループが、偏光板の原料のポリビニルアルコールを生産するエチレン酢酸ビニル工場を持っており、台湾エレクトロニクス産業の原料供給の一翼を担うという大きな見地も後押ししたようだ。

現在、中国各地で大型石油化学プラントが建設および計画中で、来年から続々と稼働が始まる予定だ。しかし、第６ナフサプラント第４期工程のエチレン年産120トンも、それらに劣らない大規模なもの。製品展開の幅と合わせ、アジア太平洋地区を代表するプラントとしての成長が期待される。

中国・ASEANニュース速報　2004年10月15日

【台湾】台プラの対中投資案、1.4億ドルが認可
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0410_2/04101504.htm

台湾プラスチックグループ傘下の台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）、台朔重工、南亜プラスチック各社の中国投資案３件が13日、経済部（経済省）投資審議委員会（投審会）の認可を得た。３件合わせた投資総額は１億4,400万米ドルで、同日認可された全投資案３億400万米ドル（16件）の約半分を占める規模。14日付経済日報が伝えた。

投資の内訳は、台湾塑膠が6,900万米ドルを中国浙江省の投資子会社、台湾塑膠工業ポリプロピレン（寧波）へ増資するほか、台朔重工が4,900万米ドル同じく寧波に華亜鋼鉄を設立、南亜プラスチックが2,600万米ドルを江蘇省昆山の投資子会社、南亜ガラス繊維（昆山）への増資に充てる。

台プラグループは最近、対中投資計画を立て続けに申請しており、行政院大陸委員会などが密接な注意を払っていたとされる。同３件の投資案も大陸委員会が認可を渋っているとの憶測が出ていたが、申請数カ月後の13日の審議で審査の対象となった。

政府は台プラグループの対中投資加速に慎重な態度で臨んでいるとみられ、台塑石化（フォルモサ・ペトロケミカル）が先ごろ申請した寧波のアクリロニトリル・ブタジエン・スチレン（ＡＢＳ）工場への5,000万米ドルの投資案も大陸委員会の認可を待っている状態。また、経済部高官によると、経済部、行政院労工委員会、大陸委員会などが同グループの雲林県麦寮にある第６ナフサプラントに赴き、中国へのナフサプラントおよび製鉄所の建設の必要性について実地調査を行った際、台プラグループは近いうちに建設を行う考えはないと回答したという。

中国・ASEANニュース速報　2004年11月2日

【台湾】台プラのナフサ工場、中国国務院に申請

　１日付経済日報によると、台湾プラスチックグループの王永在副董事長が先日、中国国務院に対してナフサプラント建設の投資申請を行った。

　建設地は浙江省寧波市の北崙経済技術特区とみられ、同特区内にエチレン年産120万トン規模のナフサプラントを設ける。台プラグループにとっては、第６ナフサプラントに続く石油化学関連の大型投資となる。しかし、政府はナフサプラントの対中投資を開放していないことから、王副董事長は台湾と中国の両政府の認可を得てから計画を進展させることを強調した。

　寧波北崙では、台湾塑膠工業（フォルモサ・プラスチック）によるプラスチック原料のポリ塩化ビニル（ＰＶＣ）の年産30万トンの工場がまもなく完工するほか、台湾化学繊維（台化＝フォルモサ・ケミカルズ＆ファイバー）のアクリロニトリル・ブタジェン・スチレン（ＡＢＳ）工場が量産を開始している。将来的にはアクリル酸エステル（ＡＥ）、ポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）、芳香族化合物の高純度テレフタル酸（ＰＴＡ）の各工場も生産を開始する予定だ。

　しかし、原料となる塩化ビニルモノマー（ＶＣＭ）やスチレンモノマー（ＳＭ）は雲林県麦寮の第６ナフサプラントが供給源となっており、輸送費の高騰などコスト高の問題が常にある。そのため、台プラグループにとって、中国でのナフサプラント建設による石油化学事業の垂直統合は競争力向上のための重要な課題となっていた。

　王副董事長はまた、ナフサプラント以外にもエレクトロニクス製品の各材料、紡織、プラスチック加工などの分野での対中投資を積極的に進めていく考えを示した。

中国・ASEANニュース速報　2004年12月14日

【台湾】台プラの石油精製工場、雲林に建設計画
http://www.e-plastics.gr.jp/japanese/nna_news/news/news0412_2/04121401.htm

　台湾プラスチックグループは、雲林県の離島工業区に1,200億台湾元を投じ、日産60万バレル規模の石油精製工場を建設する計画だ。ナフサの自製率を高め、グループの台塑石化（フォルモサ・ペトロケミカル）などのコスト削減が狙い。第６ナフサプラントとも結合し、同地の石油化学基地がさらに拡大する。13日付経済日報が伝えた。

　台プラが開発を予定するのは、離島工業区の中の４カ所ある工業区のうち、新興区と台西区にまたがる2,000ヘクタール以上の土地。投資額1,200億元は、第６ナフサプラントにも匹敵する。位置的にも麦寮区の第６ナフサプラントの南に隣接し、同工業区に台プラの石油化学事業が集中することになる。

　建設はグループ傘下の台朔重工が行う。生産設備や石油タンク、パイプ管なども自製するため、建設コストの大幅削減が見込まれる。また、台塑石化の幹部陣は、新日本石油や三菱化学などの先端製油設備および石化プラントの視察を行っており、生産効率の高い設備導入に積極的だ。

■石油精製量、日産100万バレルに
　台プラは現在、３基の石油精製工場を稼働中で、精製能力は合計で１日当たり45万バレルとなっている。しかし、精製されるナフサは同グループの需要量の45％程度で、残りは海外からの輸入に頼っている。ナフサ価格は今年は１トン当たり370米ドル以上となっているが、このコストを削減する面でも、今回の新石油精製工場の建設の意義は大きい。

■中国石油との競争激化
　一方、過剰生産の懸念も出ている。台プラは３基の石油精製工場の日産能力を55万〜60万バレルに増加させる考えで、中国石油の同77万バレルと合わせると、台湾の石油精製能力は１日当たり232万〜237万バレルとなる。台プラは総生産の６〜７割は輸出向けで、内需比率も不変のため、総生産量が上がればその分内需向け販売量も多くなる。中国石油は石油製品市場における台プラのシェアを30％までは譲っているが、その数字を超えた場合は代価を顧みずにシェア奪回策を進める構えだ。しかし、台プラもコスト削減に注力しているため、２社の争いは激しくなると考えられる。

　このほか、台プラが建設を予定する新興区と台西区は、もともと中国石油が「石化科技園区」として石油化学基地の建設を予定していた場所という事情もある。同区には１社の進出しか認められないもようで、経済部工業局の投資認可をめぐる争いが激化しそうだ。

2005/5/3 Platts

Formosa to complete construction of Ningbo ethylene tank by 2007

Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corp has begun construction on a new 80,000 cubic meter ethylene storage facility in Ningbo, China that is scheduled for completion "within two years," a source close to the company said Tuesday.

The storage tank would be able to hold roughly 44,000mt of ethylene, which would primarily support Formosa's recently completed 300,000 mt/yr PVC plant in Ningbo. The tank would also be able to provide ethylene for Formosa's planned 450,000 mt/yr polypropylene plant in Ningbo, scheduled to complete construction in late 2006 or early 2007. The PP plant would only consume about 10,000-20,000 mt/yr of ethylene depending on the grade of PP to be produced.
Formosa would likely supply ethylene to Ningbo from its No 3 cracker that is scheduled to be online by late 2006. The new cracker in Mailiao is designed to yield 1.2-mil mt of ethylene and about 600,000mt of propylene.

Houston Chronicle 2005/10/7

8 hurt in plastics plant explosion
Cause of accident at Formosa facility in S. Texas is unknown
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/3386038

In an increasingly familiar scene along the Texas coast, black smoke and flames streamed from a Point Comfort industrial plant Thursday, following an explosion that injured at least eight workers.

The blast at Formosa Plastics Corp. was the third to strike a Texas industrial facility this year and the second to hit one of the Taiwan-based company's U.S. facilities in 17 months.

In March, BP's Texas City refinery burst into flames, killing 15 and injuring 170 people in an accident that recently brought the company a $21 million fine. In July, BP's refinery exploded a second time, forcing local residents to remain indoors but causing no injuries.

Witnesses reported at least three blasts around 3:30 p.m. in an area of the sprawling 1,800-acre Formosa complex known as the Olefins 2 unit, where the building blocks of plastics are made, said Patrick Pastuck, a spokesman at the company's Livingston, N.J., headquarters.

The plant, Formosa's largest, employs about 1,500 people, Pastuck said.

The cause of the explosions and fire was unknown. A company spokesman on the scene, Jim Shephard, said damage to the unit was severe.

Two workers ・Roger Green, 30, who was in serious condition with burns over 36 percent of his body and John Hunt, 45, who had burns on his arms and was listed in fair condition ・were taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Shephard said six other workers suffered minor injuries.

Officials had ordered residents in the surrounding area to stay indoors and avoid the smoke. About 50 students still inside an elementary school across the street from the plant were transferred to another school in Port Lavaca.

Authorities also barricaded nearby roads, including the Port Lavaca causeway, Texas 35 and FM 1593.

The fire was extinguished after about three hours, but county officials did not lift the shelter-in-place recommendation until just before 9 p.m.

Preliminary tests of the air quality hours after the explosion detected no toxic fumes, local authorities said.

The causeway was reopened about 8:30 p.m.

Following the blasts, dozens of workers fled the plant, running across a field or driving to James Food Mart in Point Comfort where they got water and delivered it to plant employees stuck in traffic on the closed roads. Shelters for workers who could not get home were opened at the Bauer Community Center and Methodist Church in Port Lavaca.

Employees gathered at the community center Thursday night described hearing over company radios that a pipe had ruptured. That was followed by a rumbling sound, and alarms signaling that they should evacuate.

"As we were going out, the fire got worse and worse, it got bigger and bigger," said John Hodges, an instrument maintenance supervisor at the plant. "It seemed like gas escaping, and then big fireballs with three, four, five explosions."

Safety officials en route
State and local officials, in addition to federal environmental and occupational enforcement personnel, were en route to the facility Thursday evening to perform further assessments. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board was sending a team to the scene Thursday night to launch its third investigation into an industrial incident in Texas this year.

In addition to the Point Comfort explosion, the CSB also is investigating an April 2004 blast that killed four workers and injured six at a Formosa plant in Illiopolis, Ill. The company's other two U.S. facilities are located in Delaware City, Del., and Baton Rouge, La.

In December 1998, a blast rocked the Point Comfort plant's ethylene dichloride unit, rattling windows as far as 35 miles away and injuring 26 workers.

Activist 'not surprised'
Diane Wilson, an activist and local shrimper who has protested against the company ・a campaign that culminated in August 2002, when she chained herself to one of the plant's towers ・said a serious incident was bound to happen.

"When Formosa was building this plant we had so much evidence about the shoddy way it was put together and the poor quality of the work," said Wilson, who was in New York City promoting her first book An Unreasonable Woman, about her fight against large petrochemical companies. "I'm not surprised at all."

Last April, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fined the facility $150,000 for violations of air pollution laws that included releases of toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride.

Over the past decade, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has inspected the Point Comfort plant a dozen times, five of them resulting in violations, OSHA online records show.

In 1994, the company completed a $1.5 billion expansion, building its first olefins unit. In 1997, the plant underwent a second $1 billion expansion, in which it constructed a second olefins unit ・the part of the plant that erupted Thursday.

Chronicle reporters Kevin Moran, Anne Marie Kilday, Armando Villafranca and Lise Olsen contributed to this report.

Oct. 7, 2005　 Houston Chronicle

Area of plant hit by blast to stay shut indefinitely

The section of the Formosa Plastics Corp. struck by a series of explosions and fire this week will remain closed indefinitely, the company announced Friday, straining already tight petrochemical supplies after two hurricanes battered the oil and gas industry along the Gulf Coast.

The announcement came as the number of injured workers climbed to at least 13, but only one of those employees remained hospitalized.

A spokeswoman for Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca said 11 people were treated there for a variety of ailments and released Thursday night.

Two of the most severely hurt workers were flown by helicopter to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

John Hunt, 45, was released Friday after being treated for burns on his arms, and Roger Green, 30, was reported to be in good condition Friday with burns on 36 percent of his body.

A Formosa spokesman blamed the initial explosion and fire on a leak in a pressurized propylene line that was struck by a forklift driven by a contract worker.

The gas traveled along the ground until it reached an ignition source, spokesman Jim Shephard said. The ignition source was not identified.

The blasts occurred at 3:05 p.m. in the plant's Olefins 2 unit, where the building blocks of plastics are made.

Formosa's "outage comes at a time when ethylene is already scarce," Banc of America Securities analyst Kevin W. McCarthy said. "This new outage improves producers' chances of expanding margins in fourth quarter 2005" through a record ethylene price increase, he said.

In a statement released Friday, Formosa officials said pockets of the decimated unit were still burning and they were working on putting out the fires. The remainder of the plant, which has 13 units that cover 1,800 acres, was shut down as a precaution.

Multinational Monitor 　　MAY 1991 - VOLUME 12 - NUMBER 5　
http://multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/issues/1991/05/front.html

Taiwan Brings Toxics to Texas

In a victory for a tiny, embattled environmental movement in Calhoun County, Texas, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delayed granting the Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Corporation the wastewater discharge permits it needs to begin operations at the company's newly expanded facilities. The EPA announced in February 1991 that it is requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement before it will grant the permits. Formosa Plastics, Taiwan's largest chemical producer, has a history of environmental degradation and violations both in Taiwan and in its plants in the United States.

The company is currently in the midst of expanding its 800- employee plant in Point Comfort, about 100 miles southwest of Houston. The new seven-plant facility will be the largest petrochemical factory built in the United States in a decade, and will produce more than 1.5 billion pounds of chemicals each year. Formosa plans to start up operations in the first of the completed plants in spring 1992.

Formosa predicts that the $1.5 billion expansion will provide 4,000 jobs at the peak of the construction phase and will create 1,200 permanent jobs in the economically depressed Calhoun County. Currently, 2,600 workers are employed constructing the plant. Employment levels around Point Comfort plummeted in the 1980s as the region's commercial fishing, agriculture and oil industries declined and local chemical plants laid off workers. In 1986, the unemployment level reached 15.8 percent.

Texas politicians and local economic developers responded enthusiastically to Formosa's expansion plans--so enthusiastically, in fact, that the company has received close to $170 million in tax breaks and direct subsidies from the state and local governments for locating the new plant in Calhoun County.

Not everyone in Point Comfort welcomes the idea of a new Formosa facility, however. Diane Wilson founded the Calhoun County Resource Watch (CCRW) in 1989 to oppose the expansion plan because she feared the potential environmental effects. Wilson has hooked up with Texans United, a statewide environmental organization, to fight Formosa, but in Point Comfort she remains virtually a one-woman opposition force, with little support from the community, the local press or government. Her tactics-- picketing, a hunger strike and what she calls the "harassment" of local environmental commissioners--have alienated many of her neighbors, but she remains committed "to waking them up" to the dangers posed by the company's presence.

Wilson's activities have drawn public attention to Formosa's complete disregard for the environment in the United States and in Taiwan, where Formosa has been confronted with an increasingly strong environmental movement. Texans United reports that in December 1990 over 20,000 people demonstrated in Taipai and the county of I-Lan to protest a $7 billion Formosa chemical complex proposed for Taiwan. Wilson, who visited Taiwan last year, says her concern with Formosa extends beyond the company's operations in Texas. "I saw what they do to their motherland--it outraged me. I don't want Formosa in the solar system."

In Point Comfort, Formosa has been hit with two of the largest environmental fines in Texas history. In spring 1990, the Texas Water Commission fined the company $247,000 for 17 violations over a three-year period, including improper storage of oil and other waste, cracked wastewater retention ponds and releases of extremely acidic wastewater into surface water. In October 1990, the five-state Region Six office of the EPA handed Formosa a proposed $8.3 million fine for illegal disposal of hazardous waste. Formosa settled the fine with the EPA earlier this year for $3,375,000.

Formosa's facility in neighboring Louisiana has been fined several times since 1987 for excessive releases of vinyl chloride. In 1986, a Delaware judge ordered a six-week shutdown of a Formosa plant in that state in response to a vinyl chloride monomer release so extreme that the factory's sprinkler system went off and employees were forced to wear breathing equipment. Vinyl chloride has been linked to liver, stomach and brain cancer, miscarriages and birth defects; it is one of only seven chemicals for which there are specific EPA emission standards.

Formosa's international record make Texas environmentalists especially concerned about its proposed expanded operations at its Port Comfort facility, for which the company has received permits to release vinyl chloride as well as other known carcinogens, including ethylene dichloride.

Rick Abraham of Texans United believes that environmentalists may still be able to protect the community from some of the environmental and health hazards, however. He notes that the process of preparing environmental impact statements allows for "significant public input and revisions" that can "lead to the plant being built differently."

But the environmental impact statement requirement has not prevented Formosa from continuing construction at the new plant. On April 10, the Texas Water Commission ruled unanimously to authorize the construction of a wastewater discharge facility. Formosa spokesman Jim Shepard says that 186 people from Point Comfort and the surrounding area showed up at the hearing to support continued construction and that "the only people who opposed it were an attorney and Mrs. Wilson."

"I got creamed by the dollar bill," Wilson laughs, explaining that those supporters are anxious to bring new jobs to the area. On a more serious note, she criticizes the Commission for failing to look beyond the prospect of 1,200 new jobs in making its decision. "The whole issue was economics. The environmental issue did not come up," she says.

Roger Meacham of the EPA's Region Six Office says that Formosa is continuing construction "at its own risk" since it "is not a sure thing at this point" that the company will receive the wastewater discharge permit. Meacham says that the EPA has no authority to prohibit the corporation from building.

Abraham, however, contends that it is "wrong and illegal" for construction to continue while the impact statement is being prepared. Texans United and CCRW are planning to take legal action against Formosa in federal court to halt construction.

Wilson believes that publicity outside of Point Comfort has been her strongest weapon in drawing support and getting the EPA to act. The Houston Post, in fact, reported that Formosa officials believed that the EPA chose to hand down the $8.3 million fine only in the wake of a television report on Wilson which aired in April 1990 on the program 48 Hours. Wilson says that she has learned that huge corporations like Formosa are concerned with little besides their bottom line. "When you take money from them," she says, "they stop and listen to you."

Oct. 13, 2005 　Houston Chronicle

Formosa Plastics Point Comfort Plant Resuming Operations
　Fire Extinguished, Damage Appears Limited and Production Resumes
　No Off-Site Environmental Impact or Damage Found

Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. announced today that the last remaining minor fire resulting from an explosion on October 6 at its Point Comfort, Texas plant was extinguished early yesterday morning and that operations at the facility had resumed.

The company also said that damage from the explosion and resulting fire appears to have been limited to what is known as the "Purification Area" of the Olefins 2 production unit. The Olefins 2 unit produces ethylene and propylene which are used in the production of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) resins and ethylene dichloride (EDC).

Production has resumed at the plant's vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and PVC units, though at less than full capacity. VCM is a feedstock -- or ingredient -- used in the production of PVC. The plant's Olefins 1 unit is expected to be back online later this week with additional downstream production units expected to follow sometime next week.

Ongoing testing and monitoring by the company and government agencies have found no indication of environmental impact resulting from the incident.

One person remains hospitalized as a result of the incident. One other person was admitted to the hospital but has been released. A number of others were treated and released for symptoms that included watery eyes and sore throats.

The initial phase of the company's internal investigation, supported by numerous eye witness accounts, has determined that the fire and explosion were caused when a contractor's employee, using a forklift truck to move a cart, backed into a liquid propylene line, causing a break in a fitting or valve. The propylene released by the break vaporized into a cloud and traveled along the ground until it found an ignition source.

About Formosa ...
Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. manufactures plastic resins and petrochemicals. The company has annual revenues of $3.8 billion and 2,700 employees. Formosa's Point Comfort, Texas, facility covers 1,800 acres and employs nearly 2,000 people in 13 production units, testing labs, and research and development labs.

Platts 2006/1/19

Taiwan's Nan Ya Plastics Corp aims to start new BPA line by Oct

Taiwan's Nan Ya Plastics Corp is aiming to start production of a new bisphenol-A (BPA) plant by October, a company source said Thursday. The company is currently in the midst of building the new 130,000 mt/yr plant at Mailiao, Yunlin.
Nan Ya Plastics currently operates 3 bisphenol-A plants at the same site. These have a total production capacity of 290,000 mt/yr.
The source said that the company will be obtaining its phenol feedstock from Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Corp. FCFC has a total phenol capacity of 440,000 mt/yr in Mailiao, Yunlin. Market players anticipate that with the start-up of Nan Ya Plastics' new BPA plant, the regional demand and supply balance of phenol will improve.
"We are expecting Nan Ya Plastics to consume almost 80,000 mt/yr of phenol once their new BPA plant is operating at full capacity. This will substantially decrease FCFC's phenol exports to China," a market source said.

Platts 2006/7/19

China's Formosa PP (Ningbo) delays new PP unit start to Q2 2007

China's Formosa Polypropylene (Ningbo) had delayed the start up of its new 450,000 mt/year polypropylene plant by four to six months, to the second quarter of 2007, a company source said Wednesday. The PP plant will be constructed at the company's new petrochemical complex in Ningbo, Zhejiang, eastern China.
According to the company's original plan and time schedule, Formosa Polypropylene (Ningbo) had expected to construct a 300,000 mt/year PP plant that was to begin operation in the fourth quarter of 2006. However, the company had decided to increase the capacity of the plant by 150,000 mt/year to 450,000 mt/year, in order to cater to China's rapidly expanding PP demand.
Formosa Plastics was very optimistic about the PP demand growth in China. "Most downstream industries using PP are rapidly expanding and we are estimating a growth figure of about 400,000-500,000 mt/year," the source said.
In China, the key sectors driving PP growth include automotive parts manufacture, synthetic fibers, pipes and tubing. China currently imports close to 3 million tons of PP per year.
The Formosa Polypropylene (Ningbo) plant would be capable or manufacturing the entire spectrum of commercially produced PP grades, including various pipe grades and high value biaxially oriented polypropylene.
Up to 40% of the plant's capacity would be used to manufacture high impact copolymers used in packaging and transportation.
In addition to the PP plant, Formosa Plastics Corp operates a 300,000 mt/year polyvinyl chloride plant and a 300,000 mt/year acrylic ester plant. PVC is used to make window frames, floors and other plastic products.
Formosa Plastics Corp began commercial sales of its PVC output in Ningbo in March last year. Sales for its acrylic ester output began in March this year.

Platts 2006/10/16

Taiwan's Formosa sees new cracker completion by early next year

Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical expects to complete its third cracker in Mai Liao by early next year, a company source said Monday. The cracker will have a nameplate ethylene capacity of 1.2 million mt/year and a propylene capacity of 600,000 mt/year.
The source said that while it was still "possible" to start commercial operations at the new cracker during the first quarter of 2007 (as had been originally scheduled) conservative company assessments put the actual startup in the second quarter of the year.
"After construction is complete, we will still need to conduct mechanical testing," the source said. The company had originally hoped to complete construction of the cracker in the fourth quarter in 2006.
In related plant news, completion of Taiwan's Nan Ya Plastics's new 600,000 mt/year monoethylene glycol line in Mai Liao has been delayed to March next year at the earliest due to difficulties in securing and fitting of plant equipment and electronics.
Nan Ya, a member of the Formosa Plastics Group, had initially scheduled completion of the new MEG line in October this year. In July, it delayed the plant completion date to January next year in order to coordinate the work with FPC's naphtha cracker construction.

Jan 19, 2007 (SinoCast via COMTEX)

Formosa Plastics Group Plans to Invest in China Mainland

Formosa Plastics Group, one of the largest family firms of Taiwan, plans to build the factory of oil refining and ethene in Ningbo, located in Zhejiang province of China, according to sources.
* ethene(IUPAC name)=ethylene

This plan includes establishing 10 million tons oil refinery, 1.2 million tons splitting ethene factory, 600,000 tons propylene factory and other chemical products. On January 17 of 2007, Zhang Xiaoqiang, the deputy director of China Development and Reform Commission, will have a meet with Wang Yongqing, the founder of Formosa Plastics Group, to talk about the project of establishing the factory in Ningbo, the total investment amount is CNY 75 billion. Formosa Plastics Group'total business income of 2007 was over TWD 147.4 billion, rising 8.65% year on year.

Formosa Plastics Group has ever planed to set up oil refinery and the spliting petrifaction bases in Fujian province located in eastern areas of China, however, there were no any results because of some restriction of Taiwan government.

Platts 2007/8/14

Taiwan's FCFC to bring new PS plant in Ningbo online in October

Taiwan's Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corp expects to bring its new polystyrene plant in China, Ningbo, on-stream in October, a company source said Tuesday.

The 200,000 mt/year plant was previously slated to start up in August but due to incomplete construction works at the plant's facilities, that was postponed to Q4 of this year.

According to a company source, the new PS unit will begin test runs in September which are expected to last for at least half a month.
"If we are lucky and everything goes smoothly, we would be able to bring the plant online 20-30 days after the test runs," said the company source.

Styrene monomer feedstock would be provided by FCFC's new No 3 SM plant in Mailiao. The new 600,000 mt/year unit has been running at 100% nameplate capacity since June 8.

The PS plant would require approximately 190,000 mt/year of SM for its operations and production output would be sold into the Chinese domestic market, said the company source.

2008/1/21 Platts

Taiwan's FCFC mulls start-up of new PTA plant before June 2008

Taiwan's Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corp. is looking at the possibility of bringing its new 400,000 mt/year purified terephthalic acid plant in Loong-der on stream before June this year, a company source said Monday afternoon.

FCFC was initially looking to bring its new PTA plant on stream in June this year, but the source stated that the start-up might occur earlier. However, the source was unable to pinpoint a date as the company was still debating about the issue.

Market participants surveyed said FCFC's new PTA capacity could exacerbate the excess supply situation in Asia.

Chinese PTA producers said that with Asian PTA being structurally long in balance, FCFC's new capacity would exacerbate the excess supply position which Northeast Asia had been grappling with since late 2006.

FCFC currently operates two PTA plants in Mailiao, both with a production capacity of 500,000 mt/year. The company also has an existing 700,000 mt/year PTA plant in Loong-der.

FCFC's new PTA capacity comes on the heels of recent start-ups and expansions, most notably China's BP Zhuhai 900,000 mt/year PTA plant in Zhuhai and South Korean Taekwang Industrial's newly expanded 950,000 mt/year PTA plant in Ulsan.

Platts reported in November 2006 BP Zhuhai would start up its Zhuhai PTA plant by H2 December 2006. Taekwang started up its expanded PTA facility in November 2006.

2008/3/20 Platts

Taiwan Formosa Plastics likely to start Ningbo PP runs early-Apr

Taiwan's Formosa Plastics is likely to start commercial operations at its long-delayed 450,000 mt/year Ningbo polypropylene plant early-April, sources said Thursday.
Formosa finished construction work on the plant in June last year, but was unable to start commercial operations, pending approval from the Chinese government to use a discharging 揚荷 port for refrigerated propylene.
Formosa's Ningbo plant has two propylene discharging ports -- one for pressurized propylene and another for refrigerated propylene. Formosa has the capacity to store 9,000 mt of pressurized propylene in its tanks, while it can store around 48,000 mt of refrigerated propylene at Ningbo.
"Formosa has been allowed to discharge pressurized propylene at Ningbo. But the volume is not enough to run the plant commercially," the source said.
Formosa needs 37,500 mt of propylene every month to run the PP plant at 100% capacity, which will be supplied by Formosa Petrochemicals. The latter operates three naphtha crackers in Mailiao, with a total propylene production capacity of 1.4 million mt/year, a metathesis unit with a capacity to produce 250,000 mt/year of propylene and a residue fluid catalytic cracker with a propylene capacity of 375,000 mt/year.
After the start of the Ningbo PP plant, Formosa Petrochemicals will likely stop exporting propylene. The company has been exporting around 20,000 mt of propylene every month due to the delay.
Asian propylene prices were firm Thursday around $1,250/mt for April-delivery cargoes into China, while PP pric

Plaltts　2008/4/7

Formosa targets Ningbo PTA plant start-up during April

Taiwan's Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corp is aiming to start up its 600,000 mt/year purified terephthalic acid plant in Ningbo, eastern China, by the end of April--having recently received approval from the central Chinese government to begin operations--a company source said Monday.

The company had initially completed construction at the plant for the first half of 2007, but only obtained permission to start commercial operations at the plant this March.

Meanwhile, the company also had to clear some further environmental and safety checks with the local government, but was expected to bring the plant on stream soon, the source added.

Formosa needs an estimated 30-35,000 mt of paraxylene feedstock to run its PTA plant at full rates, based on a nameplate PTA production capacity of 600,000 mt/year. And according to market sources, a large portion of the plant's paraxylene feedstock was expected to come from Formosa's three paraxylene units in Mai Liao, which have a total paraxylene capacity of around 1.45 million mt/year.

As of Monday, the company was already heard to have shipped several paraxylene cargoes to Ningbo in preparation for the PTA plant's start-up.

Meanwhile, Formosa Plastics also recently received approval from the Chinese government to discharge refrigerated propylene to Ningbo. This would also allow the company to start commercial production at its 450,000 mt/year polypropylene plant there.