PIM suspends fertilizer production due to gas shortage
Saturday, November 25 2017 - 02:47 AM WIB
Fertilizer company PT Pupuk Iskanda Muda (PIM) has suspended fertilizer production at its plant in Lhokseumawe, Aceh Province, since the past ten days due to gas supply shortage from PT Perta Arun Gas (PAG), Kompas reported on Saturday.
The paper quoted PIM Public Relations Manager Zulfan Efendi as saying that gas supply from PAG has dropped to 10 mmbtu from the plant?s normal requirement of 55 mmbtu.
As a result, the company was forced to suspend fertilizer production, which if drags on for another one or two months could create fertilizer shortage in Aceh.
Vice President for Production at PAG, Tarmizi said that gas supply for PIM has dropped due to the company?s difficulties in obtaining the required methyl diethanolamine, a chemical for gas purification, following export cut down policy in India in September.
He said that PAG has been in talks with the Indian government, and expects supply to resume in February of next year. In the meantime, PGA is also looking for supplies from other sources including from Singapore and domestic market, hoping that supplies to arrive in early December so as to allow PIM to resume production. (*)