Yunlin orders phased closure of five Formosa plastics plants

The plants are part of a Formosa Plastics' naphtha cracking complex in Mailiao area of Yunlin County, central Taiwan. There were two fires at the complex on May 12 and May 18, respectively, which prompted the local government to rule on May 27 that the plants must be closed with effect from June 1, pending safety checks and improvements.

But Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, owner of the plants and an affiliate of the Formosa Plastics group, appealed for a longer grace period, saying that the process for a complete shutdown of the plants was complicated.

The five plants are among the 61 chemical factories belonging to the group's Nan Ya Co., Formosa Petrochemical Co. and Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Co.

Earlier in the day, Lin and local environmental protection and labor affairs officials carried out an inspection of the plants to check the level of preparedness for the suspension.

Lin said that in light of the technical issues involved, a “phased suspension” would be allowed but the plants, which produce a chemical known as ina (7-methyl-1-octanol), must halt operations completely in two months time.

One of the plants has started its shutdown process and will come to halt in five days, while the other four will begin the process soon and will close within two months, Lin said.

If Nan Ya fails to follow the ruling, a fine of NT$300,000 (about US$10,000) will be imposed for every day that the plant remains open, he said.

A Formosa Plastics group official in Mailiao said that the shutdown of the five plants will affect 232 workers and result in a shortage of the ina chemical supply to downstream manufacturers.

Meanwhile, residents of the Mailiao area gathered in front of the complex to protest against what they said was air pollution caused by the discharge of gas from the Mailiao complex.

They claimed that the extent of air pollution around the complex caused by volatile organic substances from the plants was even “more horrible” than the impact of a toxic additive found recently in sports drinks, beverages, jam, juices and some medicines.

An incident involving chemical contamination of food and drink in Taiwan has been affecting many related industries since early last week.

The protesters asked the Formosa Plastics group to shoulder its social responsibility by stopping the release of toxic pollutants to avoid becoming a “black heart” manufacturer.

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