According to Reuters, Yunnan Yuntianhua Co. – a major chemical producer based in Yunnan, China – has stopped production of both synthetic ammonia and urea.
Reportedly, the company halted production at a 500 000 tpy ammonia production plant and an 800 000 tpy urea production line at its Yunnan Shuifu subsidiary, due to shortages of natural gas as the country’s winter heating crisis continues.
Reuters reports that the company will book a US$3.78 million loss due to the disruption, with production not expected to resume before 31 December 2017.
According to Reuters, the halt to production comes as at least one natural gas producer has diverted fuel supplies to northern China for domestic heating usage.