Hanwha TotalEnergies to Restore PX Supply Early in May: "Secures 110,000 Tons of Naphtha"

by Jang Bokyeong

Published 19 Apr.2026 10:25(KST)

Updated 20 Apr.2026 07:50(KST)

Increasing NCC Operating Rate to Expand Domestic Supply of PE and PP

Hanwha TotalEnergies announced on the 19th that it has secured an additional 110,000 tons of heavy naphtha needed for paraxylene (PX) production. The newly secured feedstock will be delivered sequentially starting in mid-May.

Panoramic view of Hanwha TotalEnergies Daesan Plant. Hanwha TotalEnergies

Hanwha TotalEnergies had originally planned to reduce PX production for the month of May and recover output from June. However, with the additional feedstock, the company now expects PX production to increase again starting in mid-May.

According to the company, there will be no difficulty in securing feedstock from June onward. A Hanwha TotalEnergies official stated, "The adjustment of operating rates in May was a temporary phenomenon caused by shipping delays of some contracted feedstock due to adverse local weather conditions. With the additional feedstock, we will minimize the decrease in operating rates for May and introduce the contracted feedstock without any issues, enabling us to supply at current levels from the end of May."

Hanwha TotalEnergies also explained that the newly purchased feedstock will help increase the operating rate of its naphtha cracking center (NCC). The company's aromatics plant, which cracks heavy naphtha, produces both PX and light naphtha, the latter serving as feedstock for the NCC plant.

With the additional feedstock, the production of light naphtha will also increase. By supplying more light naphtha to the NCC plant, the company plans to raise the operating rate beyond initial expectations and expand the domestic supply of petrochemical products such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

A Hanwha TotalEnergies official added, "Going forward, we will communicate closely with the government and do our utmost to expand the domestic supply of essential materials for healthcare, agriculture, industry, and everyday consumer products."