Force majeure at OXEA's Overhausen oxos site due to syngas supplier incident

New York — OXEA, a manufacturer of oxo intermediates and derivatives, said it has a force majeure in place on all products from its Oberhausen site in Germany after the company's synthetic gas supplier Air Liquide had an incident.

"FM in place for 2-Ethylhexanol, 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid, n-Butyraldehyde Europe, n-Butanol Europe, Propionaldehyde Europe and TCD Alcohol. All of Oxea's customers are informed," the company said.

Earlier in the week, market sources said there had been a fire at the Air Liquide-operated synthesis gas plant in Oberhausen last Friday, after which the syngas plant has been shut down for repairs.

Air Liquide was not available for comment.

OXEA said the company uses only the synthetic gas from Air Liquide, while having several alternative sources for precursors that typically help the company maintain production partially with these precursors. The company did not say how long the force majeure will be in place.

The European oxo-alcohols market has been stable this month, partly supported by the supply shortages resulting from French strikes last month, as well as coronavirus causing some unusual customers to emerge with volume requests.