Fourth naphtha cracker to be activatedHIGHER PRICES: Given rising energy costs, CPC raised natural gas prices for generators by 41.58%, which Taipower said would raise its power generation costs by NT$10 billionBy Meryl Kao / Staff ReporterState-run CPC Corp, Taiwan (CPC, 台灣中油) has activated its fourth naphtha cracker to boost ethylene supply, aiming to ease concerns over plastic material shortages amid tensions in the Middle East, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei TimesTensions in the Middle East have disrupted global petrochemical supply chains, pushing up prices and tightening supply. The ministry is coordinating with 20 manufacturers to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises have access to plastic materials, he said. The ministry would conduct a comprehensive review of CPC’s fuel pricing formula to reflect its procurement costs, Ho said. It sources about 60 percent of its crude oil imports from the US and less than 40 percent from the Middle East, the ministry said.
