South Korean petrochemical manufacturer Hanwha Total will soon restart its SM production. Hanwha Total first took both its SM production lines off line on 27 March for scheduled maintenance. Both lines were supposed to restart on 6 May but the producer declared force majeure on SM supplies to its customer on 9 May because of a lack of manpower and feedstock as it was hit by a workers' union strike.Hanwha Total tried to operate the smaller SM unit with limited manpower but was later forced to shut the unit completely after being hit by two explosions on 17 May and 18 May. The South Korean government has inspected both units and given its approval to restart.
