POINT COMFORT, TEXAS — Formosa Plastics Corp. USA is recovering from an unexplained Dec. 4 explosion and fire that injured 39 people at the company's chemical and resin manufacturing complex in Point Comfort.
Most were treated and released that same day. Five were kept overnight for observation.
The blast occurred in the ethylene dichloride plant. EDC is a key ingredient in vinyl chloride monomer, which is used to make PVC.
Formosa's EDC and chlor-alkali plants are expected to be out of commission for four to six weeks.
The firm also produces VCM, PVC, polypropylene, high density and linear low density polyethylene, ethylene, ethylene glycol and caustic soda at eight plants in Point Comfort. All eight were closed as a safety precaution after the blast. With the exception of the EDC and chlor-alkali plants, all plant operations were in the process of being restarted as of Dec. 7, said Formosa spokeswoman Jennifer Biancaniello.