Typhoon Fanapi Shuts Petrochemical Plants in Taiwan

Formosa Plastics Corp. and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. are among more than 30 petrochemical makers in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan that have halted production since yesterday afternoon because of flooding caused by Typhoon Fanapi.

“Floodwaters in Kaohsiung’s petrochemical parks were higher than 100 centimeters (39 inches) yesterday and Taiwan Power Co. cut the electricity supply for safety reasons,” Kuo Chao-chung, head of the petrochemical section at the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Industrial Development Bureau, said by telephone. “It’s still raining there and production may resume tonight or tomorrow morning at the earliest.”