KUALA LUMPUR (April 29): Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC)'s petrochemical plants remain on track to kick-off operations by the fourth quarter of this year despite the recent fire, says Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) chairman Datuk Md Arif Mahmood.

Speaking to the press today, Arif said the fire only affected the Atmospheric Residue Desulphurisation (ARDS) unit, which is used to produce low-sulphur fuel oil and hydrotreated feedstocks.

Its PIC petrochemical plants are not affected by the fire.

The petrochemical plants, which produce polymers, glycol, isononanol, are at 97.7% completion as of March this year.

"What we will do is we will isolate the part that was affected (and) we will continue commissioning on the parts that are not affected (by the fire).

"So, we will look at still getting into commercial operations without the (affected) unit by fourth quarter this year," Arif told the press after PetChem's annual general meeting (AGM) here.

PetChem had previously announced on Bursa Malaysia that a fire at PIC Johor did not have financial or operational impact to its business.

Arif said PIC's petrochemical plants are expected to add another 3.3 million tonnes to its 12.8 million tonnes petrochemical portfolio.

"Typically in plan, we will not commit to full production because we will like to see how it (PIC's petrochemical plants) performs, especially in the first year of operation.

"Next year if the plants run well as we commissioned and started up, we will ramp it (production) up. Hopefully, we can get to full production," Arif added.

At the noon break today, shares of PetChem fell 1.3% or 12 sen to RM8.98, valuing it RM71.84 billion. The group saw some 757,200 shares changing hands.