Taiwan Prosperity Chemical Corp. has shut its 40,000 tone/year maleic anhydride (MA) plant in Kaohsiung for regular maintenance. The unit was taken off line on 30 December and is scheduled to be restarted on 18-20 January.

Domestic supply of MA cargoes is not affected by the turnaround as the company has stocked up sufficient inventory before shutting down the plant but spot supply for exports would be impacted. Prior to the shutdown, the company was running the plant at 80% of capacity. The new line was initially scheduled to go on stream in 2014.