Explosion at China's Shaanxi Hengyuan carbide plant

It is reported that an explosion occurred at Shaanxi Hengyuan Co Ltd on 2 May 2019 killed 2 people while injured 18 others. Initial investigation found that a fire broke out at the No. 2 calcium carbide plant flared up the unit.     

The company has taken the unit off-stream until further notice. The unit is able to produce 180,000 tons/year calcium carbide, which used primarily in the carbide-based PVC production. 

Sources fear that the incident might encourage authorities to tighten the safety inspection process, which could curtail supply of both carbide feeds and PVC further in the coming months.