Nova delays Corunna start-up, force majeure continues

Another failure of a compressor seal during start-up at its Corunna, Ont. facility has has forced Nova Chemicals Corp. to extend the force majeure on products produced at its plants near Sarnia, Ont.
The force majeure applies to ethylene, propylene, crude C4s and other co-products, as well as polyethylene.
Start-up is now expected in early to mid-February.
As a result, the force majeure will remain in
effect until the plants return to normal operating rates and inventory levels, Nova said. The Corunna facility has been operating at rates of about 50 per cent since October 2005.
In attempts to satisfy customer demands amid the shortage, Nova is maximizing shipments of ethylene from its Joffre, Alta. facility to Ontario for producing PE at its sites in the Sarnia area.