25 August 2008 17:54  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--Blue Island Phenol has declared force majeure (FM) on all phenol and acetone shipments from its Blue Island, Illinois plant after a fire, the company said on Monday.

A fire occurred in the oxidiser units on Sunday likely due to a power failure from the electrical storms, a company spokesman said. One employee was sent to the hospital for chemical burns. No other injuries were reported.

The power has just been restored, but production remains down, plant manager Bill Moffat said.

The plant was shut down until the investigation is complete, said spokesman Jerry Dunn.

Dunn said that Blue Island Phenol would be unable to meet contractual obligations for phenol and acetone.

Acetone and phenol are co-products.

Blue Island Phenol, formerly known as JLM, produces 59m lb/year (26,800 tonnes/year) of acetone and 95m lbs/year of phenol.

Other US acetone and phenol sellers include Georgia Gulf, Dow Chemical, Shell, Sunoco and INEOS Phenol.