Shell MDS to double output of solid wax

Shell MDS (M) Sdn Bhd’s newly-expanded solid wax plant at the gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex at Tanjung Kidurong here, is doubling its current daily capacity of 14,7000 barrels using natural gas from offshore Sarawak, its managing director Ate Visser said.

Visser, who is also Gas Shell Upstream International Asia vice-president, said the US$100mil plant, completed in November last year, had the capacity to convert about three million cu metres of natural gas to produce about 150 kilotonnes of waxes per annum, including granules and slabs.

“Our investment in the plant is a strategic one.

“We believe there is a long-term growth potential for synthethic waxes.

“We are proud that our waxes are marketed to over 50 countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia,” he told reporters after the launch of plant expansion by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

A joint venture between Shell, Mitsubishi, Petronas and the Sarawak state government, the plant is the world’s first commercial GTL plant opened in 1993 and being operated by Shell MDS.

The expanded plant is the first under the three entry point projects to be completed following Shell’s announcement of an investment of RM5.1bil to further develop its various oil and gas facilities across the country.

Visser said 95% of the products at the plant, including a wide range of industrial applications such as hot-melt adhesives, fiberboards, PVC lubricants, plastic processing, candles and coatings, were for the export market. – Bernama