Kaohsiung: A petrochemical plant in Kaohsiung, operated by state-run CPC Corp., Taiwan, may be fined after an equipment failure led to elevated flaring and the release of excessive pollutants into the atmosphere, according to the city's Environmental Protection Bureau.

According to Focus Taiwan, the bureau reported that its monitoring system detected black smoke emanating from a flare stack at CPC's Linyuan plant at 11:28 a.m. The company could face a fine ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$5 million (US$158,277) under the Air Pollution Control Act due to the incident.

An investigation revealed that a compressor involved in the plant's naphtha cracking process (C-1501) malfunctioned, causing gases to be redirected to the flare system. These gases were subsequently burned off, resulting in increased flaring and significant particulate emissions. The bureau stated that the compressor has since been restarted, although the cause of the malfunction is still being investigated.

Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiou Yu-shiuan from the opposition Kuomintang visited the site and noted that local residents are worried about the smoke. They are seeking a comprehensive explanation from CPC. In petroleum refineries, flare stacks serve as safety devices to prevent equipment overpressure by burning off excess gases during both planned and unplanned flaring events.