SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA — Formosa Plastics Corp. has become engulfed in turmoil in Cambodia, where government officials are scrutinizing waste imported by the Taiwanese petrochemicals giant.
Fearing that the waste is toxic, residents of Sihanoukville rioted, according to news reports.
Formosa is a major PVC producer, but it was not known if the waste was related to resin production. News reports said the material contained mercury, a toxic substance, and described the waste as compressed incinerator ash or mud containing mercury that was compressed by cement.
Taiwanese officials ordered Taipei-based Formosa to take back the material, but Formosa Plastics officials took issue with tests that showed the waste contained illegal levels of mercury.
Formosa's U.S. operation, Formosa Plastics Corp. USA, did not have any knowledge about events in Cambodia, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Biancaniello.